PF acting president Given Lubinda says he is eager for proceedings to commence in a case in which he was arrested for corruption involving over US$539,000, adding that he doesn’t want any delays or a nolle prosequi.

Lubinda appeared at the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court yesterday but his case could not take off as there was no charge sheet before court.

He was asked to appear in court yesterday but the prosecution was not ready for him.

Speaking to journalists later on, Lubinda said he was informed by the court officials that the State was not available or ready to proceed with his matter.

Lubinda said that he was eager for the matter to commence because he did not like the idea of thinking every day about when he would appear in court.

“I have been told that the State is not available, the State is not ready to proceed. All I can say is that I’m eager for this matter to start. I don’t like the idea of carrying [a] heavy burden on my shoulders, thinking every day about when I will appear in court. I wanted us to commence so that we can conclude this matter. Obviously, the ACC know where to find me, they know where to find my counsel. I’m sure that they will communicate the day when they will be ready for us to proceed. The only thing is that I want to reiterate what I said soon after I was arrested. I said then that I hope that by arresting me, they are ready to proceed. And I said that I don’t want any delays, I don’t want any nolles, I want us to conclude the matter before a competent court,” said Lubinda.

“Even now I want to state that position that I’m ready for us to commence proceedings, the State must not buy time. The State has machinery to make sure that when they arrest a citizen they proceed with prosecution. There’s no reason whatsoever why they should not be in court today. But I shall wait for further instructions. They can get in touch through my lawyers and inform them when they want me next. If they want me this afternoon I shall oblige. Whenever they want me I shall oblige.”

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrested Lubinda in March this year.

In a statement, ACC spokesperson Queen Chibwe said Lubinda had been charged with five counts of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

“The Anti- Corruption Commission has arrested and charged Patriotic Front acting president Given Lubinda for corruption involving more than US$539,000. Mr Lubinda 58, of plot 21841 Hillview Park Lusaka has been charged with five counts of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to section 71 (1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010, of the Laws of Zambia. Details in count one are that Mr Lubinda on 2nd April 2019 in Lusaka Province, did possess a house type S3-A+1 valued at US $260,000 situated at Kingsland City, Along Twin Palms Road, Ibex Hill Lusaka. Details in count two are that Mr Lubinda on 20th February 2019, did possess US $100, 000 in his account number 055-1026566 domiciled at ABSA Bank Zambia PLC,” said Chibwe.

“Details in count three are that Mr Lubinda on 23rd December 2019 did possess US $80, 000 in his account number 055-1026566 domiciled at ABSA Bank Zambia PLC. Details in count four (4) are that Mr Lubinda on 6th March 2018 did possess US $50,000 in his account number 055-1026566 domiciled at ABSA Bank Zambia PLC. Details in count five are that Mr Lubinda on 2nd April 2019 did possess US $49, 990 in his account number 055-1026566 domiciled at ABSA Bank Zambia PLC. The above properties are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime. Mr Lubinda has since been released on bond and will appear before Court soon.”