Former Copperbelt Police Chief appeals for Constitutional bail

Lawyers representing former Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Mwala Yuyi have asked the Ndola High Court to grant him constitutional bail after spending 20 days in police custody. The lawyers have accused the State of failing to bring the matter before the court within a…

Lawyers representing former Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Mwala Yuyi have asked the Ndola High Court to grant him constitutional bail after spending 20 days in police custody.

The lawyers have accused the State of failing to bring the matter before the court within a reasonable time.

Mr Yuyi, together with other accused persons, is facing one count of theft by public servant and another count of giving false information to a public officer.

The other accused are Magistrate Edward Banda and police officers Patrick Muti and Boniface Nyimunya.

The accused are alleged to have stolen 436 copper cathodes worth about US$448,596 between March 6 and March 9, 2026.

The copper cathodes were reportedly being transported to South Africa but were allegedly diverted to Zambia.

During the bail hearing before Judge Japhet Zulu, defence lawyer John Kayuni submitted that granting bail falls within the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Mr Kayuni argued that the offence is not punishable by death and stressed that the law presumes an accused person innocent until proven guilty.

Meanwhile, the State requested more time to make submissions, saying it was served with the affidavit and skeleton arguments on August 10, 2026.

Judge Zulu has since adjourned the matter to a date to be communicated for ruling.