FORMER president Edgar Lungu’s press aide Amos Chanda and two others have asked the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court to acquit them in a matter in which they are accused of using insulting language and obstructing Anti-Corruption Commission officers.

Chanda, his wife Mable and sister-in-law Ruth Mulenga have submitted to the court that the State has not provided evidence to warrant the court to place them on their defence.

Meanwhile, the court is expected to make a ruling on whether the accused have a case or no case to answer on March 23.

According to their submission on no case to answer filed in court, the trio argued that the state’s evidence did not prove the allegations they are charged with.

They have further argued that the officers were not stopped from doing their work and that no witnesses proved that the officers were insulted by the accused persons.

Chanda and two others stated that the arresting officer did not visit the crime scene, making it difficult for him to convince the court.

The State is expected to file their arguments on case to answer before the court makes a ruling on March 23, 2022.

In this matter, the accused are charged with three counts of using insulting language and obstructing Anti-Corruption Commission officers.

In the first count, it is alleged that Chanda, on October 27, last year, in Lusaka used insulting language on the officers from ACC namely; Friday Tembo, William Chilufya and Christopher Siwakwi in due execution of their duty to which he said ‘idiots’, ‘you criminals’ and other words to that effect, conduct likely to give provocation to the said officers so as to cause the said officers to break the peace or commit an offence.

In the second count, it is alleged that Mable and Ruth on the same day, used insulting language repeatedly on the officers from ACC namely; Mbonyiwe Ndalameta, Lomtuzi Bili, Neeta Kufekisa, Swithen Lusaka, Christopher Siwakwi, Friday Tembo, William Chilufya and Clement Chansa, in the due execution of their duty.

In the last count, it is alleged that the trio, on the same day, allegedly obstructed and delayed officers from the ACC namely senior investigations officer Friday Tembo and others in lawful exercise of their duty to search house number 67 Elm road, Woodlands, Lusaka by dishonestly stating that the keys to the bedrooms were with another person who had travelled out of town when in fact not.