Former Republican President Rupiah Banda’s son, Andrew has been found with a case to answer in a matter in which he is charged with corruption.
Chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda in his ruling yesterday said he had read all the testimonies by the nine witnesses called by the prosecution and found that the accused was facing a typical case which needed him to answer to the charges leveled against him.
Magistrate Banda said he had carefully read the testimonies of the State witnesses and the submissions from both parties and that in his view, he considered that this was a typical case where Andrew should answer to the allegations of corruptly soliciting and agreeing to receive two percent of all payments made to Italian businessman Antonello Locci.
“I accordingly invoke section 207 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) and place the accused person on his defence,” Mr Banda said in his ruling.
This is in a case in which Andrew, being a public officer as First Secretary at the Zambian Embassy in Italy and later Deputy High Commissioner to India, solicited and agreed to receive gratification from Mr Locci amounting to two per cent of all monies paid to Frattelli Locci SRI by RDA.
And Andrew, 52, now a farmer of Chasimpa farm in Chipata is charged with one count of soliciting two per cent gratification amounting to K171 million on all payments made by RDA on current and future road construction projects contrary to Section 28(1) paragraph A (i) of the Anti-Corruption Act No.38 of 2010.
The Magistrate said if at the close of the evidence in support of the charge appeared to the court that a case was not made out against the accused sufficiently to require him to find a prima facie case against Andrew, the court would have dismissed the case and acquitted him forthwith.
Mr Banda said in this instance, the court found sufficient evidence which required it to explain the substance of the charge to the accused and shall inform him that he had the right to give evidence on his own behalf and that he could call witnesses if he so wished.
And after the Court explained his rights, Andrew through his lawyers from Milner Katolo and Associates told the court that their client would give sworn evidence and asked for time to prepare themselves.
Defence lawyer Paul Katupisha informed the court that Andrew would call nine witnesses to assist him to defend his matter.
A Thief in the 2% small prints. Its white collar theft of great magnitude.
Andrew is not a thief balemubepeshafye, fwayeniko bambi, like…., Henry Banda or wieshi!
The system decayed and allowed corruption to be an acceptable way of life.
Let justice prevail
Eyo ba winter Kabimba ba pela ba Magistrate Banda to handle the case – so that if he acquits him they will say “tribalism.” Hon. banda, please declare interest in this case. you are being used by Winter Kabimba.
Henry, has no case to answer. What they entered in was a business transaction commensurated with a contract. To begin with Henry, didn’t abuse his office. he neither worked for RDA nor was he a board member at RDA to influence the contract. it was purely a business transaction.
good,send all those who stole to mukobeko!
Banda on Banda
BA LT DO NOT MISLEAD THE READERS. THE PICTURE ABOVE IS VERY OLD. SAKI STOPPED REPRESENTING ANDREW BANDA WHEN HE REALISED THAT ANTONELLO LOCCI HAS DECIDED TO BECOME A STATE WITNESS.
According to CIPS code of ethics that is acceptable in contracts and its againts the laws of Zambia as established in the zppa and Zips acts. Surely its sad they were caught. Thanks!
SAKWIBA SIKOTA should be smiling all the to the bank, he has made cash out of the ZAMBIAN POLITICS. HE should have a heft balance sheet.
It is important to make clear that Andrew Banda was first appointed diplomat by Dr Chiluba. Later on he joined ZADECO. He later joined UPND for which he served a prison term for electoral misdemeanor. It was Dr Mwanawasa who sent him to Italy as a diplomat again. The way his prosecution is being reported, is like his father made him diplomat. RB became Vice President when Andrew was already in Italy. Mr Sata transfered him to India. Since they couldnt get Henry, they are now using Andrew. Andrew will be acqitted as ‘PROOF’ that the PF is not against the Banda family.
NO.11, TO YOU RICH THIEVES SHOULD NOT FACE THE LAW. WHOEVER PUT BANDA INTO DIPLOMATIC MISSION HAS GOT NO BARING TO BANDA’S THIEVING ACTIONS AND PROSECUTION. HE MUST FACE THE LAW AND ACCOUNT FOR HIS WRONG-DOING JUST LIKE ANY CITIZEN.
A family of vile crooks!
Yes Andrew Banda should also go in prison with his thieving dad R.B. Govt should also nab the other son who is now a fugitive hiding in South Africa .The Interpol is not doing enough, S .A. Govt must must fully coporate with their Zambian counter part with a extradition formalities. the R,B family has plundered more in just 3 years than Chi Kafupi in 20 years.