Man in court over $1m bogus contract
PERMANENT secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development said yesterday his signature on a letter recommending G&G Company as a nominated subcontractor to work on Mansa-Luwingu road to China Henan was forged.
Charles Mushota said although the copy of a letter head carried what looked like his signature he had not authored the letter or signed it.
Mr Mushota was testifying in a case where a 42-year-old businessman of Lusaka has been charged with forging a contract registration certificate and dishonestly obtaining a contract worth over US$1 million from China Henan international.
Christopher Banda of Sunningdale is facing five counts of forgery, uttering false documents and obtaining pecuniary advantage by false pretenses.
In count one, Banda is charged with forgery.
It is alleged that between August 27 and October 14, 2013 with intent to defraud Banda forged a letter namely contract number RDA/CE/014/12 dated August 28, 2013 in the names of Mr Mushota by purporting to show that it was issued by the Road Development Agency (RDA) when in fact not.
In count two, it is alleged that between the same dates Banda knowingly and fraudulently uttered the forged letter to China Henan International Cooperation Group Company Limited.
In count three, It is alleged that between the same dates with intent to deceive and defraud Banda forged a certificate of contract registration number NCC/V002/2R/0066 for the period January 2013 to December 2013 by purporting to show that it was genuinely issued by the National Council for Construction when in fact not.
In the fourth count, it is alleged that between the same dates knowingly and fraudulently Banda uttered the said certificate of registration to China Henan International Cooperation Group Company Limited.
And In count five, Allegations are that between January 1 2013 and December 31, 2013 in Lusaka Banda by false pretences dishonestly obtained a contract dated October 14, 2013 from China Henan International Cooperation Group Company Limited valued at US$1,168,052.
When the matter came up before chief resident magistrate Lameck Mwale, Engineer Mushota said during his time at RDA his duties were to implement government policy with regard road construction, road maintenance and rehabilitation.
Eng Mushota narrated that on November 23, 2019, a police officer showed him a copy of the letter which was purported to have been authored and signed by him recommending G&G as nominated subcontractor on Mansa-Luwingu road to China Henan.
Eng Mushota denied knowing G&G Company and any of its directors.
The matter was adjourned to February 4, 2020 for continuation of trial