Edgar Lungu’s Political Advisor Pleads Not Guilty to Terrorism.

Yesterday, the political advisor to former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, Dr Christopher Zumani Zimba, pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges.

Dr Zimba was arrested on May 30 with Given Phiri, Marlon Banda, and Portipher Gwai, the four appeared on Monday at Lusaka High Court to submit their pleas.

According to the charges, Zimba, at some point between February 1 and February 22, 2020, in Lusaka, allegedly assisted Phiri and Banda in conducting terrorist acts in Petauke, a district of Zambia's Eastern Province.

Phiri and Banda have been accused of possessing a 250-milliliter quantity of Halothane along with other substances between February 22 and February 23, 2022, which were intended to be used as tools for terrorism in Lusaka.

Mr Gwai has been charged with one count of terrorist activity, as stipulated by Section 28 of the Anti-Terrorism and Non-Proliferation Act.

The four individuals were taken into custody in May this year, with the trial set to start on September 7, according to the high court.