Nevers remains silent on defence of abuse of authority
THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has set January 12th 2018 for judgement of former MMD’s president Nevers Mumba in the case of abuse of authority.
When the case came up, Mumba’s lawyer, Jonas Zimba told the court that the accused will remain silent on the defence and will not make any submissions.
The state did not object to what the defence had said and allowed the court to set the date for his judgment.
Mr Mumba was found with a case to answer in two counts of abuse of authority and put on defence to prove his innocence.
In the first count, it was alleged that between June 1st and December 31st 2011 Mumba being a person whose functions concerned the use of public revenue, willfully failed to comply with laid down procedures in receiving and disbursing of Canadian dollar CAD $ 122, 229.85, a donation to the Zambian government from Canadian private company called Barrick Gold Corporation.
In count two, Mumba was alleged to have awarded a contract for electrical works at the Zambian High Commissioner’s residence in Canada to a Canadian company called Restcon Construction Services at a cost of CAD $ 9, 000 without following laid down procedure between October 1st 2009, and December 31st 2010.
And in count three, it was alleged that Mumba on the same dates did abuse authority of his office by awarding a contract for carpeting at the Zambia High Commissioner’s residence in Canada to a Canadian private company called Agro Carpet Limited at the cost of CAD $ 19, 850 without following laid down procedure.