Archbishop Alick Banda spends night at Chimbokaila prison
Breaking News Zambia
NewsLUSAKA – Archbishop of Lusaka Dr Alick Banda spent the night at Chimbokaila Prison following his arrest and court appearance on Monday, according to information reaching Zambian Eye. The Archbishop was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) after reporting to the Commission in response to a renewed summons concerning a motor vehicle allegedly unlawfully […]
LUSAKA – Archbishop of Lusaka Dr Alick Banda spent the night at Chimbokaila Prison following his arrest and court appearance on Monday, according to information reaching Zambian Eye.
The Archbishop was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) after reporting to the Commission in response to a renewed summons concerning a motor vehicle allegedly unlawfully obtained from the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
He was subsequently charged with possession of property reasonably believed to have been unlawfully obtained, contrary to Section 319 of the Penal Code.
Archbishop Banda pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Lusaka Resident Magistrate Mwandu Nakazwe Sakala.
The court granted him K80,000 bail in his own recognisance, with three working sureties bonded at K50,000 each. He was also ordered to surrender his travel documents.
The vehicle at the centre of the case
The charge relates to a blue Toyota Hilux, registration ALF 7734, which the State alleges was in Archbishop Banda’s possession between April 22, 2021 and December 27, 2023 and was reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained from ZRA.
DEC says the vehicle forms part of a wider investigation involving approximately 22 ZRA motor vehicles allegedly improperly disposed of.
The Archbishop had previously appeared before the DEC in January, when a warn-and-caution statement was recorded. The renewed summons eventually led to Monday’s interrogation, arrest and court appearance.
What happens next?
The immediate issue is the implementation of the bail order and the next stage of the court proceedings.
The charge against Archbishop Banda remains an allegation, and his plea of not guilty means the matter will now proceed through the courts.
The development also follows a tense day around the DEC, with police restricting access to some roads around the Commission as authorities warned against unlawful assemblies and processions.
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops has meanwhile expressed solidarity with Archbishop Banda and called for fairness, dignity and due process as he faces the proceedings.
Zambian Eye will continue following the case as the court process develops.
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