By Chisomo Phiri
High Court Judge Redson Kapindu has on Monday adjourned to July 19,2023 the case in which Vice President Saulos Chilima is being accused of corruption.
The defense applied that the court must waive bail conditions where Chilima reports to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) once every three months and has his passport withheld by the court.
The court also ruled that the case must return to the court on August 1, 2023 for disclosures of witnesses and plea.
Kapindu said that there is need for prosecution to serve defense with disclosures before the accused hears his charges and takes plea of either guilty or not guilty.
Defense lawyers led by Kalekeni Kaphale argued that they did not have enough time to study the charges before coming to court where their client, Chilima, was to take plea and for the mention of his charges.
“In view of arguments from both parties and also that the accused was arrested in November last year about eight months down the line the prosecution could have had time to put together the charge sheet and make disclosures available,” said Kapindu.
Earlier on, Kapindu ruled that the disclosures should be made within seven days to which the state requested for extension of time.
This is where Judge Kapindu granted the state 21 days.
ACB arrested Chilima on November 25 2022 for allegedly receiving bribes amounting to $280 000 from businessman and corruption suspect Zunneth Sattar.
He faces six counts-three are for corrupt practices by a public officer contrary to Section 24(1) of the Corrupt Practices Act (CPA), two are for receiving advantage for using influence in regard to contracts contrary to Section 29 (1) (b) of the CPA.
The UTM President is also answering a count of failing to make a full report to a police officer or an officer of the ACB that an advantage had been corruptly given contrary to Section 36 (1) of the CPA.
