The Constitutional Court has adjourned President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility case indefinitely owing to the complaint filed by the petitioners against ConCourt president Hildah Chibomba.
Christian Democratic Party president Dan Pule, Zambia Republican Party leader Wright Musoma, New Congress Party president Peter Chanda and Robert Mwanza of the Citizen Democratic party, Monday, asked the Judicial Complaints Commission to institute investigations against justice Chibomba whom they accused of being incompetent.
When the matter came up for hearing yesterday, justice Chibomba asked judge Ann Sitali to lead the bench.
“Before the matter can be heard, justice Sitali has something to say,” said judge Chibomba.
Justice Sitali said the matter had been adjourned until further notice.
“We received a complaint from the Judicial Complaints Commission asking justice Chibomba to recuse herself, so the matter has been adjourned until further notice,” said Justice Sitali.
The PF-inclined opposition leaders have complained of alleged incompetence and gross misconduct on the part of justice Chibomba and they want her to recuse herself from handling the matter.
They claim justice Chibomba conflicted herself when she used the same lawyers, Messers Malambo and Company, who represented her at the JCC when some citizens filed a complaint against ConCourt judges in relation to the handling of the presidential election petition, lawyers which are now representing the UPND in presidential eligibility case.
The complainants stated that the situation was understandable and deliberate as it was meant to intimidate them.
The opposition leaders threatened to withdraw their petition if justice Chibomba did not recuse herself due to the stated reasons.
