JAILED former Lusaka province minister Bowman Lusambo yesterday could not explain how he acquired his fancy Chamba valley house and six unfinished flats before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court because he had a headache.
Appearing before Lusaka chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili, Lusambo said he could not open his defense, as his journey from Luanshya to Lusaka was uncomfortable due to the potholed roads, and he hit his head to the roof of the vehicle hence, he developed a headache and needed to see a doctor.
Submitting on his behalf, Lawyer Nkhula Botha said the Bulldozer had a bumpy ride to Lusaka since morning yesterday which caused him stress and he needed medical attention.
Botha also indicated that Lusambo was not prepared for his defense due to time, as he was put in custody at Chilenje police prior to being transported to Luanshya for sentencing and he did not have access to him.
“An illness is an issue that can visit anyone of us and as such it is imperative the accused person be allowed or given an opportunity to see a medical practitioner for whatever illness he has,”Botha said.
Anti-Corruption Commission Senior prosecutor Daniel Ngwira urged the Court to take Judicial notice that Lusambo was a convict, if it decided to allow him seek medical attention and proposed that he be attended to by medics at the correctional facility where he was booked in.
Chawezi Nalwenga of the ACC argued that
the defence had had enough time to prepare Lusambo for defense since July when he was found with a case to answer.
She requested that the application be dismissed.
In his ruling, magistrate Chibwili said he would give Lusambo time to rest and prepare for his defense.
“The defense’s assertions that they did not have access to the accused, that will not be accepted because the accused was put on defense in July they can’t complain,”he said.
“I have taken judicial notice of the situation that the accused traveled a long distance, I will allow him rest so that he has enough time for defence. I will give it tomorrow (today)”
Botha indicated that Friday would not be convenient as Lusambo has a pending judgment with his wife Nancy Manase today in a matter where he is facing 10 corruption related charges.
Magistrate Chibwili adjourned the matter to November 28, and extended Lusambo’s police bond.
In this matter the former Kabushi member of parliament is facing two counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime.
It is alleged that Between May 1, 2015 and December 31, 2021 Lusambo possessed property no. F/609/E/44/B/9 which is a single storey four-bedroomed house and a guest wing and an incomplete block of six flats which are suspected to be tainted.
As he was being led to Lusaka central correctional facility Lusambo asked ‘starving’ media workers if they had consumed any food and promised them of a fete in 2026.
“You will start eating in 2026, don’t worry,”Lusambo teased the “starving” journalists.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba November 8, 2024
