Justice - Zambia’s former president, Rupiah Banda, on Thursday failed to make himself available before the government joint investigation team for questioning over corruption allegations.
Banda was scheduled to appear Thursday for questioning but a letter from his lawyers to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said the former president will not make himself available since he was enjoying Constitutional immunity against investigations.
ACC director-general Rosewin Wandi, who confirmed receiving a letter from the lawyers of the former president, had warned that other legal avenues would be used to pursue Banda once he failed to avail himself for questioning.
Banda’s lawyers stated in the letter that the former president enjoyed immunity under Article 43 of the Republican Constitution.
Former president Banda’s son, Andrew Banda, is currently on trial for alleged corrupt practices involving over 170 million kwacha. (US$ 1 = K5,100).
Andrew also faces another charge for failing to account for over K360 Million deposited in his Stanbic personal account.
He allegedly solicited for a 2% payment from an Italian construction firm, Fratelli Locci Limited, when his father was in power. He allegedly received K171 million out of the two percent solicited for from the Fratelli Locci Limited Managing Director, Antonello Locci.
Pana 08/02/2013