By Esther Chisola
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has confirmed breaking into former Lusaka Province minister Bowman Lusambo’s residence in an attempt to present him before court as ordered by the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court.
On Wednesday this week, Magistrate Faides Hamaundu issued a bench warrant against Lusambo and his wife Nancy for failure to appear before court in a matter in which the couple is facing corruption charges.
In a statement, ACC head-corporate communications Timothy Moono stated that the officers were following the courts directive to apprehend Lusambo.
“The Anti-Corruption Commission wishes to confirm reports that it broke into former Lusaka Province minister Mr. Bowman Lusambo’s residence in an attempt to present him before court as ordered by the Lusaka Magistrate Court,” Moono stated. “This follows the issuance of a bench warrant by Lusaka Magistrate Hon. Faides Hamaundu to apprehend Mr. Lusambo after he failed to appear before court on 12th June 2024 and both Mr Lusambo and his Lawyers were present in court during the last sitting of the matter on 13th May 2024 when the matter was adjourned to the 12th of June 2024 and were as such aware of the trial date.”
Moono stated that ACC officers were blocked by Lusambo’s security officers from entering the premises and they also refused to recognise the court documents.
“Anti-Corruption Commission Officers proceeded to Lusambo’s residence yesterday in Chamba Valley to execute the bench warrant and found security officers whom they informed of the search warrant and bench warrant issued by the court against Hon. Lusambo,” Moono stated. “However, the security officers refused to recognise the court documents and to cooperate with the officers and instead decided to lock the gate and walk away.”
He further explained that ACC officers had no choice but to break in but found that Lusambo was not around.
“Unfortunately, the officers did not find Mr. Lusambo at his residence. However, Mr. Lusambo later made a video call to the officers and talked to the officers stating that he was not at his residence and purported that he was in Livingstone,” he stated.
Moono, however, stated that Lusambo’s court case had on several occasions been adjourned on unnecessary grounds.
He stated that on several occasions the state had taken witnesses to testify in a matter where Lusambo stands charged with offences of being in possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime but the matter had been resulting in unnecessary adjournements due to his absence in court.
Moono stated that this prompted the commission to apply for a bench warrant and a search warrant to search and find Lusambo and take him before court to avoid the accused occasioning another adjournment.
The Lusaka Magistrate’s court has since set June 18, 2024 for continuation of trial.
