DEC CONFIRMS RELEASE OF GOLD, CASH SCANDAL JET

THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) last Wednesday, released the aircraft, Global Express T77WSS jet, involved in the gold and cash scandal after a signed consent judgement entered into between its owner World Aviation Sinai International Mountains Limited and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

In the same consent judgement, Egyptian Michael Adel Michel Botros agreed to surrender US$5 million to the Zambian government.

It was also agreed that all other items seized by DEC in the gold scandal be forfeited to the State.

“That DEC shall release the aircraft, namely, Global Express T77WSS jet, to the first interested (World Aviation Sinai International Mountains Limited) and second interested (Ibis Air PTY Limited) parties forthwith.”

“That the sum of US$697, 700.00 be released to the third interested party, Michael Adel Michel Botros through his advocates to cover some of the attendant costs of facilitating and servicing the aircraft, namely, Global Express T77WSS jet in order for it to achieve optimal airworthiness," read the consent judgement.

The consent judgement was endorsed by the High Court Judges: Ms Pixie Yangailo, Mr Ian Mabbolobbolo and Mr Vincent Siloka.

This is in a matter in which the DPP, Mr Gilbert Phiri, asked the Economic and Financial Crimes' Court to order that Global Express jet and US$5 million seized in the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Gold scam last August be forfeited to the State.

Other assets that the DPP applied to be forfeited to the state include 602 pieces of brass pellets, five pistols with 126 rounds of ammunition, 11 pistol magazines, a drilling machine and a central processing unit.