Lusaka magistrate Felix Kaoma has granted Chilufya Tayali K5000 bail in his own recognizance after he pleaded not guilty to a criminal libel charge this afternoon.

Last week, Tayali, 42, was arrested following his Facebook post in which he stated that Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja was covering his inadequacies by charging HH with treason.

The former Zambian Voice executive director, who is now leader of a political party called EPP, appeared before court yesterday but his case could not take off due to lack of a docket in court.

And when he was brought back to court this morning, his case was allocated to magistrate Kaoma where he denied committing the offence.

It is alleged that Tayali on April 13, this year with intent to defame Kanganja by means of print writing, unlawfully published on social media a defamatory statement by saying ‘ Kanganja is just covering up his inefficiency to charge Hakainde Hichilema with treason otherwise he should be an accomplice but maybe he planned to kill the president or frame him.

The accused was granted K5000 bail in his own recognizance with two working sureties in the like sum.

Trial in the matter is expected to commence on May 6.