FORMER High Court judge Joshua Banda Boldly walked out of Court this morning holding his head high and smiling non-stop, after the Anti-Corruption Commission disentangled him from corruption.
The former judge was freed of corruption allegations by way of nolle prosequi.
Banda was facing two counts of corrupt transactions for soliciting a “ka something” (bribe) from a litigant in order to render judgement in their favour.
The former judge is alleged to have asked for K130,00 from David Mwanza a former Sheriff officer as an inducement for a favorable judgement in case where Mwanza was accused of defrauding Mopani Copper Mines K8 million.
Banda is said to have received K63, 000 from Mwanza who later reported him to the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC) and the Anti- Corruption Commission for extortion.
Allegations in count one are that Banda between July 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020, corruptly solicited for K130, 000 as gratification from Mwanza, a former sherriff officer in the Judiciary, as an inducement in order to assist him to have a favorable decision in a tribunal relating to the collection of K8,000,000 from Mopani Copper Mines, a private body.
In the second count it is alleged that Banda on the dates in question received a K63,000 as gratification from Mwanza in order to assist him have a favorable decision in a tribunal relating to the collection of K8,000,000 from Mopani Copper Mines, a private body.
When the matter came up for commencement of trial before magistrate Idah Phiri, ACC prosecutor Virginia Tembo said the State was discontinuing the proceedings pursuant to Section 88(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Following the application by ACC to have the matter discontinued magistrate Phiri discharged Banda.
After being let off the hook, Banda hugged his lawyer James Mataliro and other colleagues in the legal fraternity after which he walked down the Court corridors with a smile.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba March 26, 2024.
