FORMER president Edgar Lungu has failed to pay out K1 million, as legal fees to Michelo Chizombe’s lawyers L.J. Michaels Legal Practitioners, following his failed application for the recusal of three Constitutional Court judges.
On October 3, the Constitutional Court awarded Chizombe and the State legal costs, after Lungu’s failed attempt at having three judges withdraw from handling his eligibility case, on the perception of bias.
Court president Margaret Munalula, her vice Arnold Shilimi and judge Mapani Kawimbe rebuked the former president and his lawyers for making unsubstantiated accusations against them.
They said the allegations that they were affiliated to President Hakainde Hichilema and were serving his interest to prevent him (Lungu) from being on the ballot paper in the 2026 election, without evidence amounted to contempt of court.
After Lungu’s condemnation to costs by the Court, Chizombe wrote to him demanding K1 million for legal costs, and gave him a seven-day ultimatum to settle the bill.
Lungu has however not acted in accordance with the Court directives and has paid no attention to Chizombe’s demands.
In an interview with Kalemba, Chizombe’s lawyer Micheal Moono said he will file into Court a bill of costs, which will itemize the fees and expenses charged so that he can recover the money from Lungu.
“We are intending to file the Bill of costs. He (Lungu) hasn’t paid we are going to file the application to tax the bill of costs probably this week. He kept quiet he’s never responded to the demand letter,” said Moono.
Chizombe has petitioned Lungu in the Constitutional Court for abrogating the law when he contested for presidency in the 2021 election after having been sworn into office twice.
He wants the Court to declare whether Lungu can contest future elections after having exhausted the term limits for presidency.
The Court is expected to render judgement on the matter, which will be a determinant on whether his political career will come to an end or not.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba December 3, 2024.
