Islamic Supreme Council of Zambia president Suzgo Zimba and two Somalis have appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court for allegedly giving false information to an Immigration officer and aiding and abetting entry of 11 Somalis in the country.

The three are alleged to have procured immigration visas for 11 Somalis by purporting that they were visiting Zambia to attend an Inter-Cultural Competence Course at Kook College of International Studies, when in fact not.

In this matter, Zimba is jointly charged with Egeh Hussein and Omar Mohamud with 13 counts of giving false information to an immigration officer, harbouring a prohibited immigrant and aiding and abetting illegal immigrants.

It is alleged in the first count that between January 1 and May 21, this year, the trio procured immigration visa for a Somalia on case number C44442422-4-19, purporting that Ifrah Hassan was visiting Zambia to attend an Inter-Cultural Competence Course at Kook College of International Studies, when in fact not.

In the second count, the trio, on the same dates, allegedly procured an immigration visa for a Somalia on case number C444078-4-19, purporting that Shafie Hussein was visiting Zambia to attend an Inter-Cultural Competence Course at Kook College of International Studies, when in fact not.

In the third count, the accused on the same date, jointly and whilst acting together, procured an immigration visa for a Somalia C4443959-419, purporting that Abdi Hassan was visiting Zambia to attend an Inter-Cultural Competence Course, when in fact not.

In the fourth count, the accused on the same dates, jointly and whilst acting with others unknown procured an immigration visa for a Somalia on case number C4440389-4-19, purporting that Mohamud Hassan was visiting Zambia to attend an Inter-Cultural Competence Course at Kook College of International Studies, when in fact not.

In the fifth count, it is alleged that Zimba, Hussein and Mohamud on the same dates, procured an immigration visa for a Somalia on case number C4442383-4-19, purporting that Mahad Abrahim was visiting Zambia to attend an Inter-Cultural Competence Course at Kook College of International Studies, when in fact not.

In the sixth count, it is alleged that the trio on the same dates procured an immigration visa for a Somalia on case number C4441997-4-19, purporting that Ahmed Farah was visiting Zambia to attend the Inter-cultural course.

In the seventh count, it is alleged that the three on the same dates procured a visa for a Somali on case number C4442164-4-19, purporting that Ali Farah was visiting Zambia to attend an Inter-Cultural Competence Course at Kook College of International Studies, when in fact not.

In the eight count, it is alleged that on the same dates, Zimba, Hussein and Mohamud, while acting together procured an immigration visa for a Somalia on case number C4440084-4-19, purporting that Abdifatah Yusuf was visiting Zambia to attend an Inter-Cultural Competence Course at Kook College of International Studies, when in fact not.

In the nineth count, it is alleged that on the same dates, the trio procured a visa for a Somalia on case number C4442330-4-19, purporting that Faysal Hassan was visiting Zambia to attend an Inter-Cultural Competence Course at Kook College of International Studies, when in fact not.

In the tenth count, it is further alleged that on the same dates, the trio procured a visa on case number C4441675-4-19, purporting that Abdishakur Mohamed was visiting Zambia for a cultural course when infact not.

In the eleventh count, the trio on the same dates are accused of procuring an immigration visa for a Somalia on case number C44440448-4-19, purporting that Hassan Mohamed was visiting Zambia to attend an Inter-Cultural Competence Course at Kook College of International Studies, when in fact not.

In the twelfth count, the three, on the same dates, are accused of procuring an immigration visa for a Somalia on case number C4449596-4-19, purporting that Said Mohamed was visiting Zambia to attend a cultural course, when in fact not.

In the last count, it is alleged that the three on the same dates, knowingly aided, abetted and assisted Ifra Hassan, Shafi Haliwo, Abdi Hassan, Mohamud Hassan, Mahad Ibrahim, Ahmed Fara, Abdifatah Yusuf, Ali Fara, Faysal Hassan, Abdishakur Mohamed and Hassan Mohamed, entry and remaining in Zambia.

However, when the matter came up for plea before Lusaka magistrate Felix Kaoma, Monday, the accuseds’ lawyer Felix Mutale informed the court that although the first and second accused were ready for plea, the third one wasn’t ready as he could only speak Somali.

At this point, magistrate Kaoma adjourned the matter to Wednesday, June 18, to allow the court to find an interpreter.

Zimba is on police bond, whereas his co-accused are in custody.