The tribunal probing the alleged professional misconduct of suspended Supreme Court Judge Philip Musonda today proceeded with the enquiry despite receiving a communiqué from his lawyer Milner Katolo of Justice Musonda’s unavailability.
The tribunal which is being chaired by Malawian High Court Judge Lovemore Chikopa continued with the proceedings despite Justice Musonda’s absence and listened to one witness who was called to testify by the Attorney General.
Judge Chikopa revealed at the beginning of the sitting that Justice Musonda and his team who were to be herd had sent a written communication stating that they would not be in attendance following the pending judicial review of their stay which was to be tabled before the Lusaka high court.
But Tribunal Chairperson, Malawian High Court Judge Lovemore Chikopa said the tribunal, with or without the defence will proceed with the enquiry into the complaint as there was no stay from the court to restrain the tribunal from proceeding.
He noted that as things stand, the court proceedings over the judicial review do not in any way interfere with the tribunal proceedings and vice versa hence the reason for the tribunal to proceed.
He said the tribunal will not force any party to attend its sittings as they have the rights to either attend or not and added that the tribunal has a mandate to enquire into the complaint in a fair and expedient manner and make recommendations.
He noted that the resignation of Justice Musonda is not an issue before his tribunal and wondered who had instructed them to not take part in the tribunal as there was no stay of any sort to stop the proceedings of the case.
And Attorney General Mumba Malila who was availed with the written communication from Justice Musonda’s lawyers Milner Katolo which further asked the tribunal not to proceed with the sitting because of a pending judicial review from the high court noted that there was no stay yet to stop the proceedings.
He noted that the proceedings of the high court judicial review would start tomorrow and not today adding that his team was ready to continue with the hearing.
But Dr Justice Musonda’s lawyer contended that it will be prejudicial to the proceeding of the high court if the tribunal proceeded with the hearing into the alleged professional misconduct of Justice Musonda.
The Attorney General presented to the tribunal the first witness, Chilombo Phiri, an acting Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission who told the tribunal about the appointment and elevation of Dr Justice Musonda as Supreme Court judge.
Another witness, Albert Woods is expected to testify before the tribunal this afternoon.
The former Supreme Court judge Philip Musonda filed for judicial review to stop the tribunal from proceeding against him over his alleged professional misconduct.
Justice Musonda wanted the Lusaka High Court to stay any preliminary decisions made by the Tribunal against him saying the decision of the Tribunal to proceed with the hearing against him was not in order as he had ceased to be a judicial officer.
Ok.
OK
Chikopo will soon be a Zambian, all these months he has stayed in Zambia…???
Well let us know what the well learned judges where doing worngly.If really judge Musonda Philip is innocent why wasting his time to go to the courts for this and that let the truth come out .Ba Musonda do not embarrace yourself by going to court for the wrongs you did during your tenure of office.Remember that no matter how long it takes the truth shall come out.Be bohold enough and tell Zambians that you errored and you need forgiveness the we will reconsider that.We will deduct your terminal benefit all the costs Judge Chikopa is accruing.Do not waste time just tell us the truth
Just merge the two countrie then for crying out loud! What is he still doing here kanshi and at whose expense?
An employee may be investigated fr crimes comited during workng period even aftr retiremt or resignation.So Philip Musonda is stil in soup even if he resigned.He breaced the penal code of conduct in Zambia.Yah shamwari u re in soup evnn out of ofice.We ve seen pipo being probed aftr retirement wht of him he’s no exception crime remains crime!He must be investigatef thoroughly & recomendations submmited to DPP fr posible litihation until verdict summarily declates either guilty or not!Musonda & his frien shud b investigated.
Well done, these rat.s don’t want accountability and are being praised by corrupt parties like UPND and MMD
Ba Musonda what are you hiding really? I think you know what wrongs you did while a judge. baba, just be a man and face the tribunal man. Who said if a judge leaves office he ca not be investigated? Huh Mr Musonda you know what you have done really. please extend this investigation even to the current judges .
Peace and Prosperity to mother Zambia.
Ba Chikopa mulelwisha salary. Awe mukwai no need for this tribunal