GBM Out On Bail After 27 Counts Of Corruption

Former Defence Minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, popularly known as GBM, has been released on a bail of K300,000 after being charged with 27 offenses related to corruption.

The former Patriotic Front MP appeared at the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and was charged with possessing property reasonably suspected to be the proceeds of a crime, as well as conflict of interest allegations involving millions of Kwacha.  

Mwamba was arrested by a joint investigations team yesterday and charged with 8 counts of conflict of interest and 19 counts of illegally possessing property. He is due back in court on June 14th for his plea hearing.

The conflict of interest charges relate to GBM’s time as Minister of Defence between 2012 and 2013. During this time, it is alleged, he failed to disclose his interests when three army contracts and five air force contracts were awarded to Curzon Global Ltd -  a company it is claimed he had a vested interest in.

GBM has also been charged with laundering some $632,000 as well as possessing in excess of K20 million, which is suspected to be the proceeds of crime. He has been charged alongside alleged accomplice Adolphus Mubanga, who is a country representative for Curzon Global Limited in Zambia.