FORMER State House press aid Amos Chanda says he was wrongfully convicted.
Chanda, his wife Mable and sister in-law Ruth Nakaundi being found themselves in the spotlight after they were convicted by Lusaka magistrate Dominic Makalicha for seven months.
The charges stemmed from allegations of using insulting language against officers of the Anti-Corruption Commission during a raid on four properties in Lusaka on October 27, 2021.
In a statement, Chanda wasted no time in disputing the accusations, vehemently denying any wrongdoing and promptly appealing the decision made by the magistrate.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with the verdict and his determination to seek justice through the legal system.
“We have always denied these allegations and we have therefore appealed this unfair decision by the magistrate,” stated Chanda in the public statement.
Following the judgment, Chanda and his co-accused moved swiftly to challenge the decision and filed for bail pending the hearing of the appeal in the Lusaka High Court.
However, they faced a setback as the magistrate delayed the hearing of their bail application by eight days.
“Yesterday, 21 March 2024 our bail application was granted and we now await the hearing of the appeal in the High Court,” Chanda confirmed.
Meanwhile Chanda expressed concerns over the emergence of anonymous digital media platforms making false representations of his political views and legal position on the matter.
He clarified that such statements did not reflect his stance and reiterated his role as an independent consultant in the private sector since his resignation from the public service in June 2019.
“I wish to state that any commentaries and statements preceding this one do not represent my position at all,” Chanda emphasised.
Chanda further clarified that only his designated public affairs consultants and defense attorneys were authorized to represent him in legal matters.
He named the legal firms handling
his defense as Messrs Lusenga Mulongoti Advocates, Messrs Joseph Chirwa and Associates, Messrs Wila Mutofwe and Associates, and Messrs Makebi Zulu Advocates.
By Moses Makwaya
Kalemba March 24, 2024
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