ESTHER LUNGU loses bid to stay proceedings

By Hannock Kasama

Former First Lady ESTHER LUNGU has lost a bid to stay proceedings in a matter where the State seeks to seize her 15 flats deemed to be proceeds of crime.

Mrs. LUNGU’s appeal to stay the proceedings in the Economic and Financial Crimes Court has been quashed by the Court of Appeal on grounds that she would not be prejudiced even if proceedings in the main matter proceeded pending appeal.

The ruling has been delivered by Court of Appeal President MWINDE SIAVWAPA sitting with his Deputy CHALWE MCHENGA and Judge YVONNE CHEMBE

Mrs. LUNGU appealed to the Court of Appeal recently following the Economic and Financial Crimes Court decision not to grant her application for the stay of proceedings in the matter where the state has applied for the seizure of her flats which are deemed to be proceeds of crime.

She argued that the proceedings must be stayed because she was not afforded a chance to be heard before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court on an application by the state for a non-conviction forfeiture of her flats deemed to be proceeds of Crime.

Mrs. LUNGU also contended that unless the proceedings before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court are stayed, her appeal will be rendered an academic exercise.

However the state made counter submissions, arguing that Mrs. LUNGU would NOT succeed in her appeal to be heard before proceedings in the application for the seizure of her 15 flats is determined.

ZNBC