Lusaka High Court Judge Mwila Chitabo yesterday morning threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo for failing to appear in court.
This is in a matter where Mr. Lusambo and seventeen others are accused of having disobeyed a court order by evicting sixteen former teachers who had occupied government houses at Kabulonga Boys Secondary School.
When the matter came up, judge Chitabo demanded for proof of service of summons so that he can issue the arrest warrant against Mr Lusambo for not coming to court.
This was after he was told by the plaintiff’s lawyer that service was done on all the alleged contemnors.
But after five minutes break the plaintiffs’ lawyer informed the court that Mr Lusambo was not served because of lack of time.
Judge Chitabo then observed that it would be unfair to condemn Mr. Lusambo when he was not personally served with the summon to appear before court.
Meanwhile, judge Chitabo has rejected an application by the state to raise preliminary issues in the absence of two of the accused persons.
Solicitor General Abraham Mwansa had asked the court to allow him raise preliminary issues as they border on the law and procedure.
Judge Chitabo rejected this argument saying there is nothing urgent for him to allow the state to make the application in the absence of some suspects.
He further noted that the offence in question is serious and criminal in nature.
Judge Chitabo has adjourned the matter to November 6th to allow the other suspects be served with summons.
This week judge Chitabo granted leave to the affected teachers to apply for an order to commit Mr Lusambo and others to prison for contempt of court.
Useless pf judges. Any other supporter of upnd would have been issued an arrest warrant immediately. The judiciary is now part and parcel of pf. At least in mmd times they tried to hide their partiality. Thugs like bowman who have no clue ot education are taking the law into their own hands. I am glad my white wife and I moved to London. Yesterday we met with another wealthy white couple we have known for years. They say they have stopped touring Zambia due to pf incompetence. I told them I dont blame them
Why a solicitor General representing thugs who are terrorizing Lusaka citizens?
The Lusambo should go to jail for demolishing citizens hard-fought building/houses.
Lusambo ne chakumulya calibula, I pray lightening strike him to a stroke!!
Very bad headline.
“High Court judge couldn’t issue warrant of arrest for Minister Lusambo”
Sounds better
You are dealing with Lusaka Times journalists, anything is possible in their writing. Hopani mixed with chibwantu and Tobwa makes for clandestine writing of article kikikikikiki