YALI president Andrew Ntewewe has called on all parties to respect the Constitutional Court’s ruling in President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility case, failure to which the institution will institute contempt proceedings against anyone who will attack judges.

And Ntewewe says YALI finds the ceaseless attacks being showered at the ConCourt shameful and unacceptable.

In a statement, Wednesday, Ntewewe stated that YALI was very concerned with the ceaseless attacks being showered at the Constitutional Court, a few days before the judgement regarding President Lungu’s eligibility to contest the 2021 general election.

“We, at YALI, are very concerned with the incessant attacks being showered at the Constitutional Court a few days preceding a crucial judgement regarding the 2021 eligibility case of His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu on December 7, 2018. We have noted with great disappointment sentiments attributed to supposedly eminent people who have even reached the point of demanding the abolishment of the Constitutional Court. YALI wishes to be very clear and put on record that we find such utterances very shameful and unacceptable!” Ntewewe stated.

He reminded citizens that they all had a responsibility to protect the integrity and sanctity of the Judiciary.

“We once again want to recapitulate, that as a democracy, we strongly believe in our institutions of governance. We would like once again to remind citizens that all of us have a responsibility to protect the integrity and sanctity of the Judiciary. Judicial independence is a very important pillar in a democratic society. This is because as a foundation for democracy, it is the source of perennial vitality and the beacon of hope for the nourishment and growth of democracy,” he added.

Ntewewe called on all parties in President Lungu’s eligibility case to respect the imminent ruling, warning that if the incessant attacks on the court continue, even after the judgement, YALI will institute contempt proceedings.

“We, therefore, call on all parties in this eligibility case, to exercise maximum restraint, maturity and sobriety. We want to remind all parties that they went to court because they believed in the first place in no uncertain terms that the court is a fountain of justice. So, whatever the outcome, it must be respected, knowing that only one party can be a victor. If the incessant attacks continue, even after the judgement, we will not hesitate to be the ones that complain to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with a view to institute contempt proceedings,” warned Ntewewe.