THE Law Association of Zambia will represent Lusaka lawyer Nchima Nchito in a matter in which he is charged with personification of a Post Newspaper (in liquidation) official.

In this matter, Nchima, who is a State Counsel, is accused of posing as an Advocate of Post Newspaper (in liquidation).

“On dates unknown but between 1st November, 2016 and 13th February, 2017, at Lusaka in the Lusaka District of the Lusaka Province of the Republic of Zambia, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, did personate and being principal partner in the firm of Messrs Nchito and Nchito Advocates as an Advocate of the Post Newspapers Limited (in liquidation) contrary to section 387 (1) of the Penal Code CAP 87 of the laws of Zambia by holding as and acting with Messrs Nchito and Nchito Advocates as an Advocate for the Post Newspapers Limited,” read the indictment in part.

When the matter came up before Lusaka principal magistrate Greenwell Malumani today, Musa Mwenye, appointed by LAZ, stood to represent Nchima.

The defence team led by lawyer Rabson Malipenga opposed LAZ’s appointing of a lawyer to defend Nchito saying it was outside their mandate but Magistrate Malumani passed it saying the law was not categorical.

Nchima pleaded not guilty to the charge and the matter was adjourned to April 3 for commencement of trial.

LAZ president Linda Kasonde and Nchima’s brother Mutembo were in attendance.

On Thursday, Magistrate Malumani cancelled Nchima’s warrant of arrest after he applied that there was no need for force as he was ready to hand himself over to police.

He granted Nchito a K10,000 bail in his own recognizance and ordered him to provide two sureties who would be bound in the like sum but in their recognisance.

The arrest warrant was issued following a complaint by former Post Newspaper Limited (in liquidation) employee, Abel Mboozi who complained to the court that Nchito, was personating as an advocate of the Post Newspapers (in liquidation) when his services were terminated by the newspaper’s liquidator Lewis Mosho.

Mboozi and four others had asked the High Court to wind up the Post Newspaper Limited on grounds that it had no capacity to pay its creditors.