Opposition UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has asked the Lusaka magistrate court to call his treason case tomorrow so that he can be surrendered to the High Court for trial without delaying the matter further through a judicial review process.

On Friday last week magistrate David Simusamba adjourned Hichilema’s treason case to June 12 to allow him and his co accused seek judicial review in the high court.

This was after the defence legal team objected to the letter of committal on grounds that it had not been signed by the substantive DPP.

But Hichilema’s lawyer Mulambo Haimbe has filed a notice to abridge time by bringing the case to tomorrow (May 30) or a date suitable for the court as opposed to June 12.

Mulambo says his client had decided not to seek judicial review as advised by the court to challenge the validity of the committal certificate signed by deputy chief state advocate Marriam Bah Matandala.

“The defense team is in receipt of instructions from the accused not to exercise that option.” Mulambo submitted.

“The accused is desirous that the date of hearing be brought forward in view of instructions not to proceed with the judicial review.”