FOR one night, the Archbishop of Lusaka traded his mitre for the grey walls of Chimbokaila. Dr. Alick Banda, the head of the Catholic Church in Lusaka, spent Monday night inside Lusaka Central Correctional Facility,a place Zambians simply call Chimbokaila, after his legal team failed to finalize his bail conditions in time. Just hours earlier,

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FOR one night, the Archbishop of Lusaka traded his mitre for the grey walls of Chimbokaila.

Dr. Alick Banda, the head of the Catholic Church in Lusaka, spent Monday night inside Lusaka Central Correctional Facility,a place Zambians simply call Chimbokaila, after his legal team failed to finalize his bail conditions in time.

Just hours earlier, he had appeared before Resident Magistrate Mwandu Nakazwe at the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, pleading not guilty to a charge of possessing property reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.

The property in question: a blue Toyota Hilux, registration ALF 7734, which the Drug Enforcement Commission alleges is among 22 vehicles under investigation linked to the Zambia Revenue Authority.

Magistrate Nakazwe granted him K80,000 bail in his own recognizance, with two working sureties, and ordered him to surrender his travel documents pending trial.

But the conditions could not be met before the close of business on Monday. That meant a night in custody.

On Tuesday morning, the corridors of the Magistrates’ Court were busy. Lead counsel John Sangwa SC, Vicar General Fr. Andrew Simpasa, and a team of senior Catholic priests arrived early, determined to secure his release.

As at 14:50, tension remained high. Sureties were still being interviewed and verified by court officials, a routine but lengthy process.

Finally, late in the afternoon, the paperwork was done.

Outside Chimbokaila, a small crowd of clergy, lawyers and faithful had gathered. When the gates opened, Archbishop Banda emerged not with a bowed head, but smiling.

A short video clip shows him giving high-fives, handshakes and quick hugs to those who had waited for him. His spirits high despite the ordeal.

For many Catholics, his detention has been a painful episode. For his supporters, his release was a moment of relief.

The Archbishop is now expected to return to court for trial, as investigations continue.

His lawyers insist he is innocent.

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