Kambwili Seeks Bench Warrant Cancellation

NDC President Chishimba Kambwili is seeking the cancellation of the warrant of arrest against him issued earlier this week.

Principal resident magistrate David Simusamba on Tuesday ordered the opposition leader’s arrest for absconding court in a matter relating to charges of forgery, uttering false document and giving false information to a public officer.

According to his lawyer Emmanuel Kaluba, Dr Kambwili failed to attend court because he was undergoing seven days bed rest after contracting COVID-19. However, magistrate Simusamba cast doubt on his explanation, issuing a bench warrant.

“I stated that the accused had been sick from August 9 and was put on bed rest which had been extended to September 1, 2020,” Kaluba is quoted as stating.

“I did not produce the third medical certificate which extended the accused’s bed rest to September 1, 2020 but I informed the court that I would produce it later because it was sent to me shortly before the proceedings were about to start.”

While police in Lusaka moved to arrest Dr Kambwili at his Lusaka residence on Wednesday, it transpired the NDC President is on bed rest in the Copperbelt.