The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has announced its decision to appeal the acquittals of former Home Affairs Minister Steven Kampyongo and former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo.
ACC to Challenge Court's Decision
ACC Head of Corporate Communications, Timothy Moono, expressed the Commission's shock regarding the court rulings. The ACC is currently reviewing the judgments and will soon file appeals in pursuit of justice.
Last week, Steven Kampyongo was acquitted by Economic and Financial Crimes Court Principle Resident Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya. He and his wife, Wanziya Chirwa, were facing 12 counts of Possession of Property Suspected to be Proceeds of Crime. However, while Kampyongo was cleared, Wanziya was convicted on five counts and sentenced to three years of simple imprisonment.
Bowman Lusambo Acquitted on Witness Interference Chharges
In a separate case, Bowman Lusambo was acquitted on charges of attempting to interfere with witnesses. Lusambo had been accused of attempting to prevent three witnesses from testifying in a case related to possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Lusaka Magistrate Trevor Kasanda ruled that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence, resulting in Lusambo's acquittal on all counts.
ACC to Appeal Acquittals in Higher Court
Moono confirmed that the ACC believes the courts erred in their rulings and intends to challenge both acquittals in a higher court. "The Commission feels that the Courts, in the conduct of the two cases, erred by acquitting the accused and will soon frame its grounds of appeal," he said.