ZAMBIA: Former Zambian President Frederick Chilubar and his co-defendants begin their defence in graft trial

Record ID: 192321

  • Title: ZAMBIA: Former Zambian President Frederick Chilubar and his co-defendants begin their defence in graft trial
  • Date: 13th May 2008
  • Summary: FORMER ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT, FREDERICK CHILUBA, STEPPING OUT OF HIS VEHICLE CHILUBA AND WIFE, REGINA LAUGH AND WALK PAST CHILUBA WITH CO-ACCUSED AARON CHUNGU AND FAUSTIN KABWE CHILUBA WITH CHUNGU CHILUBA'S LAWYER, JOHN SANGWA, TALKING ON THE PHONE DIRECTOR GENERAL, ZAMBIA INTELLIGENCE SECURITY SERVICES, REGIS PHIRI WITH AN UNIDENTIFIED MAN
  • Embargoed: 28th May 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Zambia
  • Country: Zambia
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA65AJUAYVH39SYZLOE1NRC5N8I
  • Story Text: The graft trial of former Zambian President, Frederick Chiluba, resumes as the defence begins to make its case. Chiluba is charged with the theft of half a million US dollars in state funds during his 1991 to 2001 tenure.
    Former Zambian President, Frederick Chiluba and his co-defendants have begun their defence against corruption charges.
    Chiluba is charged with looting about 500,000 US dollars worth of public funds during the ten years that he held power. Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu, the co-defendants, are former directors of Access Financial Services, a company linked to the funds in question.
    Kabwe will be the first to make his case, followed by Chungu and finally Chiluba.
    It's expected that Chiluba's lawyers will call several witnesses including the director-general of Zambia's intelligence agency.
    Chiluba's lawyers have also called for the chairman of the country's Task Force on Corruption to be held in contempt of court for issuing a statement that the Task Force is ready to drop charges if Chiluba surrenders the amount he is accused of stealing.
    Outside the courtroom, ordinary Zambians are divided over what course the case, which has dominated the country's headlines, should take.
    "It's either they stole or they didn't steal, so want to know. If they stole, they should be punished," said Maiden Phiri, a Lusaka resident.
    Another resident, Timothy Kabanji said: "I have not known so much about what is actually happening but so far if the law has to take its course, it, they must go ahead. It depends on whatever the court decides."
    Chiluba is still adored by many Zambians who say his development of the country's informal sector helped them find jobs that are scarce.
    "Let them do whatever they want to do because for me, I love Mr.
    Chiluba very much," said Funwell Chama, who lives in Lusaka.
    Chiluba has accused current President Levy Mwanawasa of leading a political campaign against him. Zambia's parliament removed Chiluba's immunity from prosecution in 2002 following a request from Mwanawasa.
    The former leader faces a minimum of five years in jail if found guilty.
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