Trial in the $150,000 forgery and theft matter involving beleaguered UPND member and former Kasama member of parliament Kelvin Sampa has been set to commence on January 13, 2025 before Magistrate Irene Wishimanga.
Serious legal troubles have continued to dog Sampa, who stands accused of two counts of theft by agent, illegal possession of forged bank notes, and possession of implements for forgery.
The 52-year-old businessman, residing in Lusaka’s Meanwood, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates Court today.
The alleged offences took place between July and October 2024.
According to the prosecution, Sampa stole substantial amounts of money entrusted to him for the purchase of gold.
In count one of theft by agent, it is alleged that on an unknown date between July 27, 2024, and September 30, 2024, Sampa, alongside unidentified accomplices, misappropriated US$70,000 entrusted to him by Kunihiro Fugishima.
In count two, in a separate incident, Sampa is charged with stealing US$80,000 entrusted by Satoshi Sakamoto for a similar purpose between August 1, 2024, and September 30, 2024.
Sampa, in count three, faces charges of illegally possessing forged bank notes pertaining to an incident on October 9, 2024, where he was allegedly found in possession of 110 counterfeit $100 bank notes.
In the last count, the former lawmaker knowingly had in his possession 7,622 pieces of light green paper intended to resemble and pass as special paper the size of the United States of America one hundred dollar ($100) bill.