Government to government oil deal was shrouded in secrecy – Witness

A witness has told the Lusaka Magistrate court that the government to government oil deal was shrouded in secrecy.

According to the witness, this is because former President Rupiah Banda did not want to expose it.

Friday Tembo, who is the arresting officer in the case, told Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda that Mr Banda personally sent Major Richard Kachingwe to Nigeria to make a follow up on the oil deal.

This is in a matter where Mr. Banda is accused of having procured a government to government deal, whose proceeds benefited himself and family.

Mr. Tembo has said the ministry of energy was not aware of the oil.

The witness also informed the court that he escorted Major Kachingwe to Nigeria, where he was wanted by that country’s Economy and Financial Crimes Commission.

This was in relation to the respective oil deal.

And when pushed further Mr. Tembo says he was not in Nigeria to investigate the Mr. Banda’s case but to merely talk to his witnesses.

He told the court that the country’s name was used to procure the oil when the proceeds were meant for the accused and his family.

But when taken on by Defence lawyer, Lubinda Linyama, to produce the evidence showing that Mr. Banda benefited from the deal, the witness said there is an investigation to that effect.

He told the court that he made up his mind to charge Mr. Banda after getting convicted that he had abused his office.

The matter has been adjourned to the 15th of July for continued cross examinations.

Mr. Tembo is the prosecutions team’s last witness in this matter.

ZNBC