Chiluba fights $58 mn graft fine

LUSAKA – Zambian ex-president Frederick Chiluba on Monday launched a legal bid to block the state from claiming a US$58 million fine imposed on him by a London judge in a landmark ruling against official African corruption.

Chiluba’s lawyers told Lusaka High Court Judge Japhet Banda the state could not recover the money because the British court had no jurisdiction over Zambian affairs. “Our position is that (Zambia’s law) does not and cannot apply (this) judgement and hence its registration is nullity,” said Chiluba’s lawyer John Sangwa during a court hearing.British Judge Peter Smith last month ordered Chiluba to pay the US$58 million to compensate for money he stole while in office in the southern African country from 1991-2001.The ruling, hailed as a turning point in Africa’s battle against official corruption, was made in Britain because Zambian officials had filed a civil case there hoping to recover properties and other assets owned by Chiluba and his associates in Britain and other European countries.Chiluba – who says he is the victim of a political witchhunt mounted by his successor President Levy Mwanawasa – has vowed to fight the ruling and on Monday his lawyer said the British judgement had not been certified as required by Zambian authorities.The judge will hear further arguments from the state and Chiluba’s lawyers on July 27.That trial is now set to begin on August 14.Nampa-Reuters”Our position is that (Zambia’s law) does not and cannot apply (this) judgement and hence its registration is nullity,” said Chiluba’s lawyer John Sangwa during a court hearing.British Judge Peter Smith last month ordered Chiluba to pay the US$58 million to compensate for money he stole while in office in the southern African country from 1991-2001.The ruling, hailed as a turning point in Africa’s battle against official corruption, was made in Britain because Zambian officials had filed a civil case there hoping to recover properties and other assets owned by Chiluba and his associates in Britain and other European countries.Chiluba – who says he is the victim of a political witchhunt mounted by his successor President Levy Mwanawasa – has vowed to fight the ruling and on Monday his lawyer said the British judgement had not been certified as required by Zambian authorities.The judge will hear further arguments from the state and Chiluba’s lawyers on July 27.That trial is now set to begin on August 14.Nampa-Reuters