Former
Zambian president, Mr. Rupiah Banda, was arrested on Monday by the country’s
law enforcement agents over allegations of corruption and abuse of office,
following a crude oil import deal with Nigeria.
Zambian president, Mr. Rupiah Banda, was arrested on Monday by the country’s
law enforcement agents over allegations of corruption and abuse of office,
following a crude oil import deal with Nigeria.
Banda, according to an online news agency, hotnaijanews.com, was also
alleged to have misappropriated about $11m during his three-year reign as
President of the country.
alleged to have misappropriated about $11m during his three-year reign as
President of the country.
The country’s authorities are accusing him of procuring oil which
did not benefit the country.
did not benefit the country.
He was said to have imported crude oil from Nigeria without
actual deliveries, despite the fact that the funds were deposited into the bank
account of his son.
actual deliveries, despite the fact that the funds were deposited into the bank
account of his son.
Banda, who was released from police custody and is due to appear
in court on Tuesday, however, said the moves against him are politically
motivated.
in court on Tuesday, however, said the moves against him are politically
motivated.
He was questioned for close to three hours after his arrest
related to the oil deal Monday before he was released on bail.
related to the oil deal Monday before he was released on bail.
Banda denies the charges, and his lawyers claim the arrest is an
attempt by current President Michael Sata to silence him.
attempt by current President Michael Sata to silence him.
After his release, Banda appeared before his supporters and told
them to remain calm, reassuring them he would win his case in court.
them to remain calm, reassuring them he would win his case in court.
Earlier this month, parliament lifted Banda’s presidential
immunity, clearing the way for him to be prosecuted for several corruption and
abuse of office charges.
immunity, clearing the way for him to be prosecuted for several corruption and
abuse of office charges.
Banda lost to President Michael Sata in 2011 elections. The new
government has been pursuing the corruption investigations against the former
leader and his political allies.
government has been pursuing the corruption investigations against the former
leader and his political allies.
Banda, born 13 February 1937, was President of Zambia from 2008
to 2011.
to 2011.
During the Presidency of Kenneth Kaunda, Banda held important
diplomatic posts and was active in politics as a member of the United National
Independence Party. Years later, he was appointed as Vice-President by
President Levy Mwanawasa in October 2006, following the latter’s re-election.
diplomatic posts and was active in politics as a member of the United National
Independence Party. Years later, he was appointed as Vice-President by
President Levy Mwanawasa in October 2006, following the latter’s re-election.
He took over Mwanawasa’s presidential responsibilities after
Mwanawasa suffered a stroke in June 2008, and following Mwanawasa’s death in
August 2008, he became acting President. As the candidate of the governing
Movement for Multiparty Democracy, he narrowly won the October 2008
presidential election, according to official results.
Mwanawasa suffered a stroke in June 2008, and following Mwanawasa’s death in
August 2008, he became acting President. As the candidate of the governing
Movement for Multiparty Democracy, he narrowly won the October 2008
presidential election, according to official results.
Opposition leader Michael Sata defeated Banda in the September
2011 presidential election, and Sata accordingly succeeded Banda as President
on September 23, 2011.
2011 presidential election, and Sata accordingly succeeded Banda as President
on September 23, 2011.
Source: Punch
