DEC officer faces bribe charge
A WITNESS in a matter in which an assistant investigations officer at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) is charged with the offences of soliciting and obtaining a bribe has narrated to the Livingstone Magistrate Court how the accused person was apprehended.
In this case, Andrew Pikiti is charged with two counts of corrupt practices contrary to the Anti- Corruption Commission Act.
In the first count, it is alleged that on October 22, 2015 in Livingstone, Pikiti did receive a sum of K500 which was deposited into his Bank account from Joseph Moyo as an inducement for him to interfere in the investigations process of the case of money laundering.
In the second account it is also alleged on that on October 23, 2015, the accused received a sum of K 1, 000 from Moyo the money he was given at his house.
Testifying before Senior Resident Magistrate William Banda was Anti-Corruption Commission investigations officer, Enock Chanda who told the Court that he received a complaint of DEC officer soliciting a bribe so that he could interfere with DEC money laundering investigations.
Chanda told the Court that he was given authority by ACC director general to investigate the matter.
During his investigations, Chanda said he came to learn that there was a planning meeting where Pikiti called Moyo and informed him on how the money was going to be paid in order to interfere in the investigations.
Chanda said after the K 1, 000 was secured and the serial numbers of the notes registered, Moyo signed on form 22 and himself as an ACC officer.
He told the Court that later, Moyo advised Pikiti to go to his house so that he could collect the money and in the process, the accused was apprehended at the gate as he was leaving after receiving the money from Moyo.
Chanda said that the money was later confiscated and Pikiti was conveyed to ACC Livingstone office where he was warned and cautioned. But Pikiti in his reply indicated that the money was for a boat cruise tickets sales for St Theresa Catholic Church where he congregates. In cross examination, Chanda said the money as alleged by Pikiti was not for a boat cruise and there no such thing according to his investigations.
Trial in the matter continue.