Martin Mbaya, who is in his 50s, appeared before Paul Namakando at the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court facing five criminal counts.
In one charge, it is alleged that on April 21, 2024, Mbaya was found in possession of a 9-millimetre pistol and ammunition without a valid licence.
The accused, reported to be a member of the Patriotic Front (PF) and a family associate of former president Edgar Lungu, is also accused of uttering false documents.
When the matter came up in court, State prosecutor Stuyvesant Malambo informed the court that the case had not yet been allocated to a prosecutor.
Magistrate Namakando urged the prosecution to organise the matter promptly, noting that it is before the time-bound Economic and Financial Crimes Court.
The case was adjourned to today for a status conference ahead of a possible plea and trial.
In 2024, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) arrested Mbaya in connection with several offences.
According to DEC Public Relations Officer Allan Tamba, the accused was found in possession of a Toyota Land Cruiser reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Investigations also revealed that Mbaya allegedly possessed a Girsan pistol with 96 rounds of ammunition without holding a valid licence.
Tamba further said that between January 2022 and April 21, 2024, Mbaya allegedly forged a firearm licence with intent to deceive, falsely claiming it had been genuinely issued by the Lusaka City Council.
It is further alleged that the forged licence was later presented to DEC officers.
What a case. The prosecutor is a cigarette!