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(LUSAKATIMES) Chiluba’s still has several cases before the courts of law-Max Nkole

Chiluba’s still has several cases before the courts of law-Max Nkole
Thursday, August 20, 2009, 16:53

The Task Force on Corruption has described the application by second republican President,Frederick Chiluba, requesting parliament to restore his immunity as premature and desperate.

Task Force Executive Chairman, Maxwell Nkole, says the former President still has several cases before the courts of law, which need to be cleared.

He told ZNBC that Dr. Chiluba should wait for the courts to clear him of the cases, which include his involvement in the $20 million United States dollars arms deal.

Mr. Nkole said the former President also needs to be cleared of the 8.5 Million United States dollars Carlington maize deal.

But Dr. Chiluba says parliament should restore his immunity because he has no pending criminal case in court.

He told ZNBC that Dr. Chiluba should wait for the courts to clear him of the cases, which include his involvement in the $20 million United States dollars arms deal.He said through his spokesperson, Emmanuel Mwamba, that he is saddened that the Task Force wants to interfere with his request.

Dr Chiluba said he is surprised that the Task Force wants to bring up the issue of the Carlington Maize scandal which it has never investigated in the past eight years.

Parliament lifted Dr. Chiluba’s immunity in 2002 to pave the way for criminal proceedings against him.

Dr. Chiluba was on Monday acquitted of all charges of theft of public resources amounting to about $500,000 US dollars, after a protracted eight year legal battle.

And The National Assembly has confirmed receiving a letter from Former President, Frederick Chiluba, requesting parliament to restore his immunity.

Parliamentary Media Liasion Officer, Chikomeni Banda, says the speaker of the National Assembly, Amusa Mwanamwambwa, received the letter on Wednesday. Mr. Banda told ZNBC news that the matter is receiving the attention it deserves.

He said the Speaker is currently studying the details of the letter and will react accordingly. Dr. Chiluba’s lawyers have written to the speaker asking parliament to restore his immunity. The lawyers say this is because Dr. Chiluba is not facing any criminal cases in court.

[ZNBC]

Labels: CHIKOMENI BANDA, CHILUBA, CORRUPTION, COURTS, MAXWELL NKHOLE

posted by MrK @ 5:07 PM