FORMER Lusaka Province minister Bowman Lusambo has appeared before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on charges of corrupt acquisition of public property and possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Bowman, who is facing two counts of corrupt acquisition of public property and three counts of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime, could however not take plea as the prosecutors are still awaiting consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute the matter.

In count one, Lusambo who is represented by Makebi Zulu and Associates is alleged to have between May 1, 2015 and December 31, 2021, in Ndola, on the Copperbelt Province, unlawfully acquired property number L/39876/M in the name of frontier Management Services Limited, which property was later transferred to Jignesh Soni at a consideration of K880,000, his own benefit.

In the second count, it is alleged that Lusambo, 45, between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018 in Masaiti, unlawfully acquired a certificate of title in respect of stand number MASAI/LN-1003028/218 in his name thereby obtaining an exemption from paying the sum of K250,000 plot/ premium land, which property was later conveyed to MBACHI NKWAZI at a consideration of K150,000, an act prejudicial to the rights and interest of Masaiti council.

In count three, it is alleged that on September 1, 2021 and October 31, 2021, in Chongwe, Lusambo jointly and whilst acting together with another person concealed property number HN 248 situated in Silverest Gardens valued at 60,000 USD in the name of Nancy Natasha Manase, property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

In count four, it is alleged that Lusambo between September 1, 2021 and October 31, 2021 in Chongwe, jointly and whilst acting together with another person concealed property number HN282 situated at Silverest Gardens valued at 128,000 USD in the names of Nancy Natasha Manase, property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

In the last count, it is alleged that Lusambo between the same dates in Chongwe, jointly and whilst acting together with another person concealed property number HN249 situated at Silverest Gardens valued at 60,000 USD in the name of Nancy Natasha Manase, property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

When the matter came up yesterday, Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Dominic Makalicha allocated it to magistrate Faides Hamaundu.

Magistrate Hamaundu read out the charges to Lusambo but informed him that he could not take plea until such a time when the DPP issues consent to prosecute the matter.

The matter comes up on March 9, 2022 for mention and possible plea.