STATE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST CLAYSON HAMASAKA FILES CRIMINAL DEFAMATION CASE AGAINST EMMANUEL JAY BANDA.

 STATE House Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka has lodged a case of criminal defamation against Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmanuel Jay Banda.

Mr Hamasaka has since written to the Inspector General of Police, Graphel Musamba, stating that Mr Banda and others need to provide evidence that, in his capacity as State House Communications Specialist, he had any involvement in the alleged abduction.

Mr Hamasaka said that on June 2 of this year, he was at his farm when he came across media reports implicating him in the abduction of Mr Banda.

"I was at my farm and came across social media reports claiming that I was among those who allegedly abducted an individual who I later learned was Petauke Lawmaker, Emmanuel Jay Banda. I dismissed the allegations as baseless and mere social media falsehoods on discredited platforms," he said.

Mr Hamasaka, however, noted that the story was also published in a newspaper under the headline "Jay Jay narrates cruel torture."

He explained that in the said article, he was named as one of the alleged abductors.

"The said Daily Nation article is accompanied by a letter purportedly signed by the said Jay Jay Banda. A copy thereof is attached. These reports and letters being circulated amount to serious defamation of my character, which goes beyond civil libel. The offence being associated with me is itself a very serious criminal offence.

I have never met the purportedly abducted individual in my life, and I do not know him, other than hearing that he is one of the Members of Parliament," he said.

Mr Hamasaka said Mr Banda equally does not know him and has never interacted with him in any manner whatsoever.

He said the reports and publications are therefore false and mere fabrications.

Mr Hamasaka added that the allegations are a serious dent on his personal character and pose a serious threat to his livelihood and personal safety, as well as that of his family.

"In view of the above, I hereby wish to lodge a formal complaint against Emmanuel Jay Banda and his collaborators, the persons issuing and circulating media statements on his behalf, for criminal libel. I want these individuals to be prosecuted so they are compelled to provide whatever evidence they have (if any) against me, which I believe is non-existent and motivated by ill will and meant to scandalise," he said.

(Mwebantu, Thursday, June 13th, 2024)