Kambwili fails to appear before court

FORMER Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Chishimba Kambwili yesterday failed to appear before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on two counts, forgery, and uttering a false document because he was unwell.

When the matter came up for mention and plea before magistrate David Simusamba, Kambwili was not before court but was represented by defense lawyers among them was Keith Mweemba, Christopher Mundia, and Gilbert Phiri.

Mundia told the court that his client was unable to make it to court as he had fallen ill on Thursday night and that he was hypertensive.

“The accused person was supposed to be before court this morning but he fell ill last evening as he is hypertensive, however his sureties are here with the medical report and he has been given bed rest,” said Mundia.

He further went on to seek the court’s indulgence to adjourn the matter and allow the accused to appear on Monday 29, 2018 for purposes of his plea and setting of trial dates.

In count one of this matter, it is alleged that Chishimba Kambwili on October 29, 2013 in Lusaka with intent to defraud or deceive, did forge a document namely No Change Return (Companies Form 71) purporting to show that it was genuinely signed by Mwamba Chishimba when in fact not .

In the second count, it is alleged that Kambwili on the same date in Lusaka, knowingly and fraudulently did utter a false document namely No Change Return (Companies Form 71) to an officer at Patents and Company Registration Agency.

The matter had been adjourned to Monday, January 29, 2018 for plea and setting of trial dates.