The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has scheduled November 8, 2024, as the date for judgment in the corruption case involving former Kabushi Member of Parliament, Bowman Lusambo, and his wife, Nancy Manase.
This decision follows the couple’s choice to close their defense without calling the 15 witnesses initially planned. Instead, they presented only two witnesses: Kennedy Kasaba, CEO of Mimbula Consortium Limited, and 74-year-old Edith Mataka, a director at Mimbula Mining Consortium.
Mataka testified that Lusambo was appointed as a consultant for Mimbula Mining Consortium in 2015. She explained that Lusambo was tasked with finding investors for the sale of Dump 11, which was sold to Tikumbe Mining for $1.4 million. Lusambo was reportedly paid $350,000 for his services, though Mataka was unsure whether this payment was made in cash or via bank transfer due to her illness at the time.
Kasaba provided testimony about Lusambo’s interactions with Cosmos Chalusa, describing a casual and jovial meeting regarding land allocation and transfers. Kasaba, who managed Lusambo’s campaign, emphasized that Lusambo had no authority to make personnel decisions.
Former Attorney General Likando Kalaluka informed the court that the couple’s defense was closing due to the absence of crucial witnesses from the National Assembly and former provincial permanent secretaries.
Lusambo faces ten corruption-related charges, including corrupt acquisition of public property, possession of suspected proceeds of crime, tax evasion, and conspiracy to defraud. He is jointly charged with his wife, Nancy Manase, in relation to four properties suspected of being ill-gotten.
