FORMER PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU FILES BIAS COMPLAINT AGAINST CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGES
Sixth President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has lodged a formal complaint against three Constitutional Court judges, accusing them of potential bias in his eligibility case. In a letter dated September 25, 2024, Dr. Lungu called for the recusal of Constitutional Court President Justice Prof. Margaret Munalula, Justice Arnold Mweetwa Shilimi, and Justice Maria Mapani-Kawimbe, citing concerns over their close connections to President Hakainde Hichilema.
The former president expressed concerns that the judges’ relationships with President Hichilema may compromise their impartiality in deciding his eligibility to contest in future elections. President Hichilema has publicly stated his opposition to Dr. Lungu’s candidacy, with several legal cases filed by United Party for National Development (UPND) members challenging Lungu’s eligibility.
Dr. Lungu questioned the impartiality of the court, particularly noting that Justice Munalula had delivered a minority judgment in the 2016 election petition that favored President Hichilema. He also highlighted Justice Shilimi’s alleged business ties to Hichilema and claimed that Justice Mapani is a close relative of the president.
As a result, Dr. Lungu has requested that the three judges recuse themselves from his case, which could influence the outcome of the 2026 presidential election, in which President Hichilema is expected to run.
