COURT ORDERS FORFEITURE OF FORMER FIRST LADY ESTHER LUNGU’S 15 FLATS WORTH K24 MILLION AS PROCEEDS OF CRIME
The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has ordered the forfeiture of 15 flats belonging to former First Lady Esther Lungu, ruling that the properties are proceeds of crime. The decision comes after an application for seizure was filed by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri.
The court found that Mrs. Lungu had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that the flats, valued at 24 million Kwacha, were not acquired through criminal activity. In non-conviction forfeiture cases, the burden of proof rests with the property owner to demonstrate that their assets are not tainted by criminal conduct, a standard Mrs. Lungu was unable to meet.
The ruling was delivered in chambers by Economic and Financial Crimes Court Judges Pixxie Yangailo, Vincent Siloka, and Ian Mabolobolo.
Speaking to journalists following the verdict, Mrs. Lungu’s lawyer, Sakwiba Sikota, confirmed that the court had ruled against his client, citing her failure to provide sufficient evidence that the properties were not connected to criminal proceeds.
The ruling marks a significant development in the case, where the DPP applied for the forfeiture of Mrs. Lungu’s 15 flats, which have been under scrutiny as potential proceeds of crime.