Melo News | Thursday, May 23, 2024 | Lusaka
The trial for the alleged misappropriation of public resources and failure to oversee the construction of the FTJ Chiluba University has taken an unexpected turn. Former secretary to the treasury, Fredson Yamba, and his co-accused will not be proceeding with the trial as the State has entered a nolle prosequi, effectively abandoning the proceedings.
This decision comes after the government paid a staggering US$45 million to the contractor involved. Yamba, along with former ministry of higher education permanent secretary Owen Mugemezulu, Joseph Phiri, and Joseph Ngulube, were jointly charged with various offenses, including wilful failure to comply with procurement laws and abuse of authority.
The allegations against Yamba and his co-accused revolve around their involvement in contracting a Chinese company, China Energy Engineering Group Hunan Electric Power Designer Institute, to construct the FTJ Chiluba University in Mansa and Kasama. Shockingly, this was done without the necessary approval from the Zambia Public Procurement Authority.
Furthermore, they were accused of failing to adequately monitor the project, resulting in a significant loss of US$45 million for the government. During the trial, it was revealed that Yamba did not approve the payment as his mandate had already expired at the time the request was made. Instead, acting secretary to the treasury, Mukuli Chikuba, authorized a down payment of US$33,750,000 to the Chinese company.
However, when the case came up for continued trial, the Anti Corruption Commission informed chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Gilbert Phiri, had entered a nolle prosequi in the case. As a result, magistrate Chibwili discharged the accused under Section 88 (a) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC). This unexpected turn of events has left many questioning the reasons behind the State’s decision to abandon the trial midway.
The allegations of misappropriation and failure to oversee the construction of the university are serious offenses that warrant a thorough investigation and a fair trial. The public is left wondering if justice will ever be served in this case and if those responsible for the loss of such a significant amount of public funds will be held accountable.
