The Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lusaka, Most Rev. Dr. Alick Banda, has been granted bail after pleading not guilty to charges of unlawfully possessing a vehicle believed to have been obtained illegally.
Reports indicate that the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) arrested him on September 28 for allegedly having a vehicle gifted by former Zambian President Edgar Lungu.
It is claimed that between April 22, 2021, and December 27, 2023, Dr. Banda owned a blue Toyota Hilux, registration ALF 7734, suspected to have been unlawfully acquired from the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
The Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lusaka, Most Rev. Dr. Alick Banda. Credit: Dufe Joseph Ndzelen.
Local reports say the Lusaka Magistrates Court granted the Archdiocese of Lusaka’s top religious leader K80,000 bail, with three working sureties each offering a K50,000 guarantee and the surrender of all travel documents.
Archbishop Banda pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawfully possessing a vehicle believed to have been obtained illegally when the case was read in court.
In a show of solidarity, Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) President Most Rev. Ignatius Chama led a group of Catholic Bishops to Chimbokaila Prison to visit the detained cleric.
Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops solidarity visit to Chimbokaila Prison to visit the detained cleric.
The delegation features Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde (Solwezi), Rt. Rev. Edwin Mulandu (Mpika), Rt. Rev. Clement Mulenga (Kabwe), Rt. Rev. Patrick Chisanga (Mansa), Rt. Rev. Raphael Mwempwa, Rt. Rev. George Zumaire Lungu (Chipata), and Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata, Rt. Rev. Gabriel Msipu.
Many commentators see the Archbishop’s arrest as persecution, citing his outspoken views on political corruption and injustice grounded in Catholic social teaching principles.
