A LAWYER representing Zambia Army officer, Lieutenant Nigel Mwaba, who is accused of murdering his lover Dr Tasila Tembo, yesterday informed the Lusaka High Court that the accused’s mental assessment report for a condition known as disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorder, is still not ready.

The matter has since been adjourned to March 11, this year, for mention and possible commencement of trial.

In the last sitting Mwaba, 33, had, through his lawyer, applied to be taken to Chainama Hospital for assessment for a condition called disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorder.

Disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders refer to a group of disorders that include oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania and pyromania.

These disorders can cause people to behave angrily or aggressively toward people or property.
In this matter, Mwaba is facing one count of murder.

It is alleged that the accused between October 24 and October 26, 2020, in Lusaka, murdered Dr Tembo.

He had, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge on February 1, this year, before Lusaka High Court Judge Wilfred Muma.

But when the matter came up, Monday, Mwaba’s lawyer from the Legal Aid Board Dr O’Brien Kaaba informed the Court that the report was not ready and asked for an adjournment.

At this point, Judge Muma asked the defence whether they found out from Chainama Hospital how long it took for the report to be ready.

He added that he did not want a situation where they kept adjourning the matter.

In response, the defence lawyer said when they communicated with the hospital, they were told that it takes three months to assess Mwaba’s condition.

He, however, said depending on the accused’s interaction with the doctor, it could be compressed to fewer months.

Judge Muma then adjourned the case to March 11, this year, for mention and possible commencement of trial.

Mwaba was arrested a month after Dr Tembo was murdered.

This was after he was spotted at Leopards Hill Memorial Park around 16:00 hours when he allegedly requested workers at the cemetery to show him where Dr Tasila had been buried.