By Esther Chisola
The Attorney General has told the Lusaka High Court that Christian Democratic Party leader Apostle Dan Pule’s petition challenging his seditious practices case has no good prospects of success to warrant a stay of criminal proceedings.
In this matter, Apostle Pule petitioned the High Court over the state’s decision to arrest and charge him with seditious practices, arguing that the law was outdated.
Pule argued that sedition laws had been criticised by United Nations (UN), human rights experts, courts, and others for being a weapon used by governments to violate the right to freedom of expression.
According to an affidavit in opposition to an affidavit in support of summons for an order staying, and or arresting criminal proceedings in the subordinate court, pending the determination of the petition filed by Patience Musonda Kalisilira, senior state advocate in the Attorney General’s chambers, submitted that Pule’s petition was undergoing criminal proceedings in the subordinate court.
Kalisilira stated that there would not be any prejudice occasioned if the matter in the lower court proceeded.
“That a perusal of the petitioner’s petition reveals no good prospects of success to warrant a stay of criminal proceedings, and that civil proceedings cannot be used to arrest criminal investigations or criminal proceedings,” stated Kalisilira. stated. “That I verily believe that no prejudice will be occasioned if the matter in the subordinate court proceeded as the criminal justice system has its procedures.”
