FORMER KCM PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR MILINGO LUNGU AND GOVT AGREE TO SETTLE MATTER OUT OF COURT
FORMER KCM PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR MILINGO LUNGU AND GOVT AGREE TO SETTLE MATTER OUT OF COURT
By Fox Reporter
FORMER Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) Provisional Liquidator, Milingo Lungu, and the State have resolved to settle the matter in which he was challenging the lifting of his immunity from prosecution, out of court.
Last year in November, the Constitutional Court adjourned the matter to February in order to allow the Petitioner, the Attorney-General and the Administrator-General engage in an excuria settlement .
Milingo has now filed a notice to discontinue the case in the court in preference to settle it out of court.
“That given the happenings in this matter, it is my considered view that this matter be taken out so as to allow parties discuss its resolution away from court. That on the above stated ground, I wish to have this matter discontinued,” he said.
In May 2022 the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) through its Anti-Money Laundering Unit sought to initiate criminal proceedings against Milingo in relation to matters contained into a non- prosecution agreement he entered into with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
This was after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Gilbert Phiri, turned against the agreement and proceeded to lifted his immunity against prosecution.
Milingo, however, challenged the decision by filing a petition in the Constitutional Court.
In the petition, he alleged that State House led by Principal Private Secretary to President Hakainde Hichilema, Bradford Machila among others bargained with him to resign as KCM Provisional Liquidator and a nolle prosequi entered in two matters he was accused of money laundering.
Others allegedly involved in the bargain process with Milingo to resign were Special Assistant to the President for Legal Affairs, Christopher Mundia, Attorney-General Mulilo Kabesha, Solicitor-General Marshal Muchende, then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lillian Siyuni and Natasha Kalimukwa, Administrator-General and Official Receiver of KCM.
He stated that State House was involved in the decision by DPP, Siyuni, to enter a nolle prosequi in the matter before Lusaka Magistrate, Felix Kaoma, for alleged theft and money laundering of K4.4 million and another involving K17.25 million presided over by magistrate Jennifer Bwalya.
KCM which had been been placed under liquidation since 2019, was last September given back to Vedanta Resources.