Chiluba judgment is historic - Blair

Chiluba judgment is historic - Blair
By Brighton Phiri
Saturday June 02, 2007 [04:00]

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair has described the London High Court judgment as a historic victory for Zambians. In his congratulatory message to President Mwanawasa, Prime Minister Blair said the London High Court judgment that established that former president Frederick Chiluba defrauded the Republic of Zambia of millions of dollars, showed Zambians’ commitment to bringing those that had stolen from the state to account.

“This is a historic victory for the people of Zambia and shows both their, and your commitment to bringing those who steal from the state to account, whatever their nationality and no matter how powerful they are,” read Prime Minister Blair’s message to President Mwanawasa. “I am glad that the money that was plundered can now be returned to the Zambian people.”

Prime Minister Blair joins some European nations and the United States that had said the money stolen by Chiluba and his co-defendants could now be returned to Zambia to be invested.

In a joint statement by Denmark, Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, they welcomed the judgment in the High Court in London. The donors stated that the judgment was likely to have an impact on corruption in Africa and globally. Chiluba has since dismissed the London High Court judgment.

The London High Court established that Chiluba and others defrauded Zambia a total of US $41 million through the BK Facility and Zamtrop Account in London. London High Court judge Peter Smith ordered Chiluba and others to pay about 85 per cent of the total sum within 14 days upon service.

The London court upheld the claim by the Attorney General of Zambia and found Chiluba and others liable and ordered that defendants compensate or account for a total amount of approximately US $41 million.

Judge Smith established that Chiluba breached his fiduciary duty owed to the country and gave dishonest assistance in the arms sale (BK Facility) and he was therefore liable to pay US $20.9 million.

The Attorney General, can register the judgment using the provisions contained in foreign judgments reciprocal enforcement Act.