Kapoko loses judicial review

THE Lusaka High Court has thrown out Henry Kapoko’s three applications for judicial review regarding properties seized by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Mr Kapoko, a Local Government and Housing employee is being investigated in connection with fraud amounting to K10 billion at the Ministry of Healthy where he worked.

The three applications were made by Best Home Lodge shareholders, Lusaka businessman Fred Chileshe and Kabwata resident Steven Chisala.

Mr Kapoko, through his lawyer Nicholas Chanda, applied for a fresh judicial review application after the first one to challenge the seizure was also thrown out.

The shareholders argued that the action by the ACC to extend search and seizure to the lodge was illegal as they were not included in the search warrant.
The shareholders also questioned the seizure of their vehicles.

In the initial application, Mr Kapoko argued that the decision by the ACC to seize his property and that of innocent third parties was irrational and irregular.

But High Court judge Evans Hamaundu ruled that Mr Kapoko was not the right applicant to commence proceedings and that of innocent third parties.

The ACC has since seized several vehicles and restricted a number of properties including an executive lodge in Lusaka.

[Zambia Daily Mail]