Thieving banker found with case to answer

This is in a case in which Shilemo Cheelo of house number 19, 2nd Street, Nkana West in Kitwe, is charged with eight counts of theft by servant and an additional eight counts of fraudulent false accounting.
Cheelo pleaded not guilty to all counts.
But when the matter came up for ruling last Friday, Kitwe resident magistrate Maxwell Mainsa said from the evidence adduced by the prosecution, he was satisfied that a prima facie case had been established against Cheelo.
“I have gone through the record and the evidence adduced so far, I am satisfied that the evidence establishes a prima facie case against the accused person for which the court may convict him if he chose to remain silent,” Mr Mainsa said.
He said he would address some of the arguments that the defence raised in their submission at ruling stage in the judgment.
Cheelo’s lawyer Gideon Kalandanya indicated that his client would give evidence on oath but needed some time to prepare his defence.
Mr Mainsa adjourned the case to September 12 this year for defence.

Zambia Daily Mail