BISHOP BANDA GRANTED K80,000 BAIL
…Catholic prelate surrenders passport and faces trial over alleged possession of unlawfully obtained ZRA luxury vehicles
By DAVID KANDUZA
THE solemnity of the altar gave way to the cold starkness of the courtroom today, September 28, 2026, as Lusaka Catholic Archbishop Alick Banda was arraigned before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, testing the intersection of spiritual devotion and Government law.
The day began not with legal arguments, but with the deep resonance of hymns at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus.
Hundreds of faithful gathered for an 08:00 hours solidarity Mass, offering prayers for their spiritual leader before he stepped out of his vestments and into the crosshairs of a State investigation.
.By 10:00 hours, the scene shifted dramatically to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) headquarters, where the prelate arrived for questioning.
Following intense interrogation, the Archbishop was swiftly escorted to the court building.
Before Resident Magistrate Mwandu Sakala, the high-ranking cleric firmly pleaded not guilty to a charge of possessing property reasonably believed to have been unlawfully obtained.
The charge centres on a contentious Toyota Hilux utility vehicle allegedly obtained from the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
Stepping in to secure his temporary freedom, the court granted Archbishop Banda K80,000 bail in his own recognisance.
The stringent conditions reflect the weight of the office and the allegations: the prelate was ordered to surrender all his travel documents and provide three working sureties from reputable companies.
Each surety was bound to a K50,000 undertaking, ensuring the influential church leader remained within the country to face justice.
The courtroom drama marks a major escalation in an ongoing investigation that traces back to a warn and caution statement recorded in January 2026.
While law enforcement previously warned the Archbishop’s followers against turning the legal process into a political spectacle, the heavy presence of legal teams and church representatives underscored the high stakes of the trial.
As the State prepares its case, Archbishop Banda returns to his flock—his freedom intact for now, but his wings clipped by the borders of the Republic.
