Businessmen deny swindling Indo Bank Zambia

TWO INDIANS residing in Lusaka’s Kamwala area have pleaded not guilty to obtaining over US$29, 000 from Indo Zambia Bank and forging a deed of will.

The accused in this matter are Pakizah Khan, 54, and a housewife of 9565 Isunga Road in Kamwala and Mohammed Khan, a businessman of plot 9587 Isunga Road.

In the first count, both accused are charged with forgery. It is alleged that on September 29, 2016 with intent to deceit or defraud, the two forged a deed of will dated September 29, 2016 in the names of Harbans Singh by purporting to show that it was issued by Mr Singh, when in fact not.

In the second count, Mohammed Khan is charged with uttering false documents.

It is alleged that on February 24, 2017, Mohammed Khan, knowingly and fraudulently uttered the deed of will in the names of Mr Singh to Francis Chulu, an assistant registrar of the High Court.

And in the third count, Mohammed Khan is charged with obtaining money by false pretences.

It is alleged that on March 20, 2017 in Lusaka, with intent to defraud or deceive, Mohammed Khan obtained US$29,856.74 from account number 0011031001369 Indo Zambia Bank by falsely pretending that he was an administrator of Mr Singh’s estate, when infact not.

When the matter came up for plea before Chief resident magistrate Lameck Mwale, the two denied the charges. As they were taking plea, magistrate Mwale wondered why Pakizah covered her face in court. “When you come to court, we need to see your face. Why are you covering your face,” Mr Mwale said.

The matter has been adjourned to August 26 this year for trial. Later as the accused were leaving the court premises, their sympathisers harassed journalists and ordered them to delete footage taken outside the courtroom.