Witness testifies how Chitoba, Koyi withdrew K400 million

Witness testifies how Chitoba, Koyi withdrew K400 million
By Inonge Noyoo
Thursday February 21, 2008 [03:00]

A Barclays Bank manager has revealed that suspended Drug Enforcement Commissioner Ryan Chitoba and his deputy Jacob Koyi made withdrawals amounting to K400 million from an account holding seized assets.

Henry Mwale was testifying in a matter before Principal Resident Magistrate Charles Kafunda in a case in which Chitoba, 53 of Kalundu, his deputy Koyi, 53 of Makeni and commissioner for administration and training Charles Ndulumina, 37 of Chainama are charged with 20 counts of theft by public servant contrary to section 272 and 277 of the Penal Code chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that the trio being persons employed in the public service at DEC between May 2006 and April 2007 jointly and whilst acting together did steal over K345 million, property of the government which came into their possession by virtue of their employment.

Mwale told the court that the three signatories to the asset service account were Koyi, Chitoba and Lufwendo Saboi.

He said a total of 22 withdrawals were made from the bank amounting to over K400 million.

Mwale said nearly all the bank debit notes for the withdrawals amounting to over K400 million were signed by Chitoba and Koyi, except for one which was signed by Saboi.
Mwale said the signatories to the account were five but that the mandate was changed to Chitoba, Saboi and Koyi only.

He said the withdrawals ranged from K15 million to K80 million and were drawn from 2005 to 2007.

In cross examination by defence lawyer Robson Malipenga, Mwale said nothing was irregular with the way the money was withdrawn.

He said the withdrawals were in line with procedure. Mwale said the account did not have a cheque book because at the time it was a bank policy that savings account holders were not given cheques.

In re-examination by ACC prosecutor Linos Eyaa, Mwale said he would not know what the purpose of the money withdrawn was because it was not indicated on the debit slips. He said only Chitoba and Koyi would be the right people to know how the money withdrawn was used. Trial continues on March 8.