RB’s immunity case set for 2nd April

The Supreme Court has set APRIL 2, 2015 as the date for the hearing of an appeal case in which former president RUPIAH BANDA is challenging parliament’s move to lift his immunity.

Parliament lifted MR. BANDA’s immunity to pave the way for investigations into his alleged abuse of authority of office during his reign as president of Zambia.

The matter was February 12, 2015 expected to come up for hearing before Supreme Court judges.

However hearing could not take place after Solicitor General ABRAM MWANSA applied for an adjournment.

MR. MWANSA told the bench that he was not aware that the matter was coming for hearing today.

In his application for an adjournment MR. MWANSA asked for twenty one days in which to study submissions from both the state and MR. BANDA.

Following the application for an adjournment MR. BANDA, through his lawyer Professor PATRICK MVUNGA, expressed concern over the period taken for the matter to come up for hearing.

High Court judge ANNIE SITALI granted the former head of state permission to commence judicial review but stated that it will not operate as a stay.

The ruling by the High Court to grant MR. BANDA a judicial review forced the state to appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision.

The High Court granted Mr BANDA leave to commence judicial review of parliament’s decision to lift his immunity.