A 51-year-old pastor of Lusaka’s Chudleigh area has pleaded not guilty to defiling a 15 year-old girl in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, Davies Banda, has since been granted a K10,000 bail in his own recognizance with two working sureties in the like sum.

In this matter, Banda is alleged to have defiled the child at his orphanage.

The accused, also a contractor, runs God at Work Orphanage as an administrator.

Particulars of the offence are that on November 11, 2017, Banda had unlawful carnal knowledge of a child under the age of 16.

And when he appeared before Magistrate Nsunge Chanda, for plea, Monday, the accused denied the charge.

His lawyer, Makondo Simbala then applied for bail, saying the offence his client was charged with was bailable.

“The charge he faces is bailable and he is of fixed aboard and able to raise capable sureties,” Simbala said.

The State had no objection to the application.

Magistrate Chanda then granted Banda a K10,000 bail in his own recognizance with two working sureties in the like sum.

The matter comes up on October 9, 2018, for commencement of trial.