Makebi Zulu and team abandon Lusambo in hour of need
LAWYERS from Makebi Zulu and Advocates have ditched Bowman Lusambo and wife Nancy leaving them stranded at the time the couple needs legal services the most.
The law firm indicated to the Economic and Financial Crimes Court that it was withdrawing its legal services to Lusambo on professional grounds.
Recently, Lusambo had hinted of ditching his Party PF to join the UPND but his sentiments have not sat well with his comrades in the green camp who continue to give him a social distance.
Few days after his statement, Lusambo received a slap to the face from his lawyers whom he relied on to save him from trouble, when they marooned him hours before he could account for his wealth, before the EFCC.
The firm had sent a junior lawyer yesterday to inform magistrate Faidess Hamaundu that it had ditched Lusambo, and would file a notice of withdrawal afterwards indicating that they had part ways.
Addressing magistrate Hamaundu yesterday Emmanuel Phiri said; “We wish to state that we have instructions on behalf of our client to withdraw as advocates for first and second accused on professional grounds. We had occasion to discuss with both accused and explained to the accused the implication for the said application. We shall file a notice of withdrawal in the course of the day.”
After Lusambo was left all alone with his wife Nancy by his side who is his co-accused, the ‘Bulldozer’ asked the Court to excuse him on reasons that he was unwell and needed time to engage a new lawyer who will have to study the matter before Tuesday next week.
“I informed ACC that I am unwell and wish to see a doctor. With this withdrawal of the lawyer, I ask the court to give us ample time to engage the lawyers to represent us in this case. I ask the court to use its discretion to adjourn the matter to allow me to see the doctor and to engage new lawyers,” Lusambo said.
ACC prosecutor Daniel Ngwira did not object to the application but urged the Court to warn Lusambo about being mindful about time.
Magistrate Hamaundu granted the application and reserved three days on her Court diary for the Lusambo’s to give their defense from August 27 to August 30.
In this matter Lusambo is facing 10 corruption-related charges before the Economic and Financial Crimes Court; among them one count of corrupt acquisition of public property, five counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime, three counts of tax evasion and one count of conspiracy to defraud.
He is jointly charged with his wife Nancy for possessing four houses in Silverest Gardens, Chongwe which were suspected to be procceds of crime.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba August 20, 2024.