FORMER Tourism and Arts minister Ronald Chitotela has sued the State in the Lusaka High Court, seeking a declaration that the restriction notice dated March 22, 2022, issued by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over his property in State Lodge should be reversed.
The Pambashe PF member of parliament also wants the court to order that the property valuation exercise intended to be carried out by ACC is illegal.
In his affidavit filed in court, Chitotela stated that on March 22, this year, his lawyers Messrs Andrew and Partners legal practitioners and Notaries Public were served with a Restriction Notice issued under section 60(1) of the ACC Act.
He stated that the said notice stated that there were investigations being conducted into alleged corrupt practices suspected to have been committed purportedly by him.
Chitotela stated that the notice directed that he should not depose of or otherwise deal with stand No. CHONG/LN_21188/51, State Lodge, Chongwe.
He argued that the said property was not derived or acquired from any corrupt practices whatsoever.
Chitotela submitted that prior to the service of the restriction notice issued to him, he has never been at any time whatsoever had occasion to be interviewed on any specific issues regarding corrupt practices.
He added that neither had he been on any occasion interviewed as to whether he had acquired the said stand through any corrupt practices.
Chitotela submitted that on March 28, 2022, he wrote to the ACC through his advocates expressing his disquiet over the restriction notice and demanded its removal.
He stated that on March 30, 2022, ACC informed him of its intention to conduct a property evaluation exercise at his premises, which move he does not want.
