A 34-year-old man of Luanshya has denied defaming President Edgar Lungu during a phone-in programme on Millennium Radio in March.

In this matter, Fred Maanya is charged with Defamation of the President.

Particulars of the offence allege that on March 28, 2019 in Lusaka, Maanya with intent to bring the name of the President into ridicule, published insulting matter by word of mouth.

And when the matter came up before Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale, Friday, Maanya pleaded not guilty.

The matter has since been adjourned to June 26, 2019 for commencement of trial, as the accused remains in custody.

Maanya of Zaoni street in Luanshya was arrested by Police last month for defamation of the President.

The incident occurred on March 28, 2019 at 06:50 hours during a phone in program hosted by Millennium Radio Station in Lusaka.

The suspect was alleged to have called the radio Station where he introduced himself as Chanda from Kabwe and later used derogatory remarks on the Republican President.

Zambia police spokesperson Esther Katongo confirmed that investigations revealed that the suspect was not Chanda but Fred Maanya of Luanshya and not Kabwe as he suggested.