ARCHBISHOP of the Archdiocese of Lusaka, Dr. Alick Banda, spent Monday night at Lusaka Central Prison, commonly known as Chimbokaila, after failing to meet his bail conditions in time for his release. The Lusaka Magistrates' Court on Monday granted the clergyman K80,000 bail in his own recognizance and ordered him to surrender all his travel documents

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ARCHBISHOP of the Archdiocese of Lusaka, Dr. Alick Banda, spent Monday night at Lusaka Central Prison, commonly known as Chimbokaila, after failing to meet his bail conditions in time for his release.

The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on Monday granted the clergyman K80,000 bail in his own recognizance and ordered him to surrender all his travel documents pending trial.

However, sources said the process to finalise the bail took longer than anticipated, forcing the Archbishop to be remanded overnight at Chimbokaila.

Archbishop Banda was earlier in the day formally charged and arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for possession of property reasonably believed to have been unlawfully obtained, contrary to Section 319 of the Penal Code.

Particulars of the offence are that between April 22, 2021 and December 27, 2023, he allegedly had in his possession a blue Toyota Hilux registration number ALF 7734, property reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained from the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

When the charge was read before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, Archbishop Banda, clad in black, pleaded not guilty.

According to the DEC, the vehicle forms part of a wider investigation involving approximately 22 ZRA motor vehicles alleged to have been improperly disposed of.

The arrest has drawn mixed reactions from members of the public, with calls for calm and for the matter to be allowed to take its legal course without inflammatory statements.

The case returns to court soon for mention and possible commencement of trial.

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