FORMER Republican President Rupiah Banda’s son, Andrew said that he came to know the Locci family around 2006 way before his father became president and that the issue of giving him two percent for any services rendered to the company started way back.
Opening his defence before Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda yesterday, Andrew refused soliciting and receiving 2% gratification from Fratelli Locci, an Italian company contracted by Zambia Road Development (RDA) Agency.
Andrew Banda vehemently denied soliciting and receiving the money from Fratelli and said at no time did he influence the awarding of a contract to Fratelli.
“Your honor I played no role at RDA and no official from RDA came in this witness box and stated that I prevailed on them that they should give this contract to Fratelli Locci because I am the son of the president.” Andrew said.
[pullquote]Your honor I played no role at RDA and no official from RDA came in this witness box and stated that I prevailed on them that they should give this contract to Fratelli Locci because I am the son of the president[/pullquote]
Andrew who equally denied receiving $US25, 000, K30 million and K20,000 from Fratelli Locci as payment towards the two percent agreement said the monies were paid to AB Logistics for services the company had rendered to Fratelli and not to him personally because he was a private individual and not a company.
Andrew explained that when he was appointed to be first secretary for political and administration in Rome, Locci and his family approached him in his private capacity to consult on their intentions to do business in Zambia.He said even the times when he was invited by the Loccis to visit Morocco to go and see their investments, he never drew air tickets and allowances from the embassy because he was doing all those things in his private capacity.
“ I am surprised that I am standing here as a receiver without a giver because the person who is alleged to have given me that two percent denied having done so” Andrew said.
Andrew also told the court that that he intended to sue Fratelli Locci for the failure to pay him his two percent for consultancy services because as far as he was concerned he had not been paid for the services rendered Fratelli Locci in his private capacity.
This is in a matter Andrew is charged with corrupt practices. Andrew, 53, now a farmer of Chasimpa Farm in Chipata, is charged with one count of soliciting two per cent gratification amounting to K171 million on all payments made by RDA on current and future road construction projects contrary to the law.
Andrew said he would seek legal redress on how to proceed on payment which Fratelli Locci has not paid thus far for services rendered to the firm.
He said among the services that he rendered to Frateli Loci were setting up an office, consultancy on business investment in Zambia and when doing all those things, he was using his personal money which he was entitled to be paid.Trial continues today
acquit Andrew..ther’s no case apa..
Bukabolala is part of the DNA in the banda family. Andrew is even proud of the 2% he had been soliciting trying to be technical on his corruption charges.
This is shameful
No body from RDA has given evidence indicating that Andrew influenced the award of a Tender.It is normal business practice to ring fence business transactions between parties for a given area in order to award or attribute a commission to an agent.There was no need in the first place to invoke ACC or DEC involvement in this matter.it is a mere waste of Court’s time.
Acquit him,& arrest acc officials & judge chikopo who is here to fix the enemies of the fredrick mumemba using plot one.
For sure like Father like Son. Ati I will sue him for not giving me the 2 percent!! What a rubbish rant from a person found in an act. And people were saying the Bandas were not corrupt…my foot. Have you seen how this guy has lost it? Thieves they were -the whole family.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
You also. How directors get 10% as gratification. This issue started with the ministry of finance long time ago where each grant given the person in charge got a tick.
But the problem is i said. Yes footless.
“Your honor I played no role at RDA and no official from RDA came in this witness box and stated that I prevailed on them that they should give this contract to Fratelli Locci because I am the son of the president.” Andrew said.
I am surprised that I am standing here as a receiver without a giver because the person who is alleged to have given me that two percent denied having done so” Andrew said.
OKU
Truth Hates. Very true! This chap thinks people are stupid even threatening to sue in court. He has forgotten about the signed contract with his sister as witness.
So there was no witness from RDA and Fratelli Locci denied paying Andrew Banda.
What a case. 10 – 0
There is no case here, this is a waste of court time. Andrew was doing business, even a son of a president can do business.
Thanks
Mushota on this one I support u. The prosecuting team are doing a fruitless fishing expedition.
Mpangula she won’t pangula for even if you support.
Mushota, Mutembo Nchito will prosecute you. Watch this space!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is not chidumbo for nothing, he will suffocate you mwaiche.
This was just a witch hunt case.Pure and simple.
the old man almost choked when he read this article, and lamented how hard the corruption fight against Banda and his sons will be, this is because they spent a lot of the looted funds on a good education. with immediate effect justice minister is being resent to law school and being urged to stop being a chikopo.
There is no solid case against Andrew. The prosecution are are picking on him simply because the have failed to capture Henry, who accordingly has never been told what the charges are against him. Its all part of the PF witch hunt against MMD. Its about time they concentrated on looking to recover other money owed to them like the long outstanding K14 billion. Acquit Andrew and move on. Why on earth are the courts dancing around this case when theycould be dealing with the THOUSANDS of outstanding pending cases of the prisoners who have been languishing behind bars for years just waiting for their cases to come up? PF get your priorities right for once in your pathetic lives!!
Right on the money! This is what happens when professionals live in fear. This is just a waste of money by Mutembo Nchito, who if people are to be believed, is himself compromised. He has to be seen to be doing something under the guise of fighting corruption. One should be forgiven for suspecting it’s all politics at the end of the day.
All the while people remain locked up without trial.
Andrew met fratelli wayback before RB became President. The constancy was done was done wayback before Rupiah became President…this why No RDA official has come in to testify as a false witness. Washout.Just enter a Nolle prosec
It is surprising that some bloggers are openly showing support for Andrew’s behaviour! By virtue of his position as a Diplomat, it was his duty to pass on information to contractors on upcoming jobs in Zambia for NO extra payment! He was not acting on his own behalf. Do you think that you, Mr. Nobody, can convince a reputable firm to bid for these contracts?! He was obviously using his position to do that and Fratelli was merely going to collect the money from the Zambian Govt and hand over to him. That makes him a THIEF and, you supporting him, an idio.t
Sentence doesnt make sense: “Opening his defence before Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda yesterday, Andrew refused soliciting and receiving …” Denied?