Ackson Tembo denies stealing 10 mukula containers

ACK General Dealers proprietor, Ackson Tembo has pleaded not guilty to stealing 10 mukula containers all valued at K4.5million the property of Berto Bacara Pascoal.

In this matter, Tembo appeared at the Lusaka Magistrate Court before Lusaka Chief resident magistrate, Davies Chibwili and denied stealing the mukula containers.

When the matter came up on Friday, Tembo’s Lawyer Mr. Boniface Ngalasa of Celine Nair and company made an application for bail pending trial in accordance with section 123 of the criminal procedure code.

Mr. Ngalasa submitted that the section clothes the court with the requisite jurisdiction to hear the application.

“The accused is of fixed abode and occupation. The accused undertakes to obey and follow through all conditions that this court will place on his bail if granted. We make this application because the offence is bailable,’’ he said.

In response, the State did not oppose the application but said the court should make it clear to the accused not to interfere with the witnesses.

Magistrate Chibwili said having no objection from the State, he shall exercise his discretion in the favour of the accused and grant him cash bail in the amount of K100, 000.

He also ordered that Tembo should surrender his passport to the senior clerk of court and must not interfere with prosecution witnesses during the period of trial.

It is alleged that Tembo between September 6 and September 30, 2021 in Lusaka stole 10 Mukula Containers all valued at K4, 500,000-00 the property of Berto Bacara Pascoal.

Trial commences on May 10, 2024.