The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) wishes to notify the public of the recent alarming incident in which an individual impersonated a qualified Advocate at the Monze Subordinate Court. Felix Mujibelo, who unlawfully appeared in Court to represent two clients accused of stock theft, has pleaded guilty to charges of
impersonation and has been sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for vigilance against individuals who masquerade as Advocates and attempt to provide legal services without the proper qualifications and accreditation. LAZ strongly condemns such acts and is committed to safeguarding the public and the integrity of the Legal Profession.
We urge members of the public to exercise caution when seeking legal services,including conveyancing, debt recovery, legal advisory and litigation services. Only registered Advocates, duly licensed by LAZ, are authorized to offer legal services and represent clients in Court pursuant to Section 42 as read with 43 of the Legal Practitioners Act, CAP 30 of the Laws of Zambia, 1973. Engaging with unlicensed individuals puts the public at risk of serious legal consequences and undermines the Justice System.
LAZ further emphasizes that impersonation of an Advocate or Legal Practitioner is a criminal offence under Zambian law and carries severe penalties. Those found guilty will face imprisonment, as demonstrated by the sentencing of Mr. Mujibelo.LAZ remains vigilant and will continue to work closely with law enforcement
agencies to identify and prosecute individuals who engage in the unlawful practice of law. We encourage the public to report any suspected cases of legal impersonation to [email protected] and the relevant authorities as well as seek verification of their lawyer’s credentials through the LAZ website or by contacting the LAZ Secretariat.LAZ reiterates its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of
professionalism and ethics in the legal profession, ensuring that only qualified and licensed Advocates are entrusted with legal responsibilities.
Lungisani Zulu
LAZ PRESIDENT
The statement is low-hanging fruit: LAZ is not taking the insider threats to the integrity of their profession seriously. Licensed advocates are engaged in numerous fraudulent activities with only light reprimands, if any. For example, JM Madika was caught pilfering USD 500,000 from his client and is currently on trial. However, after a six-month suspension, he continues to practice before the Courts. Others like notorious Lewis Mosho of Lewis Nathan Advocates and Bernard Kan’gombe have been exposed for engaging in illegal activities, including attempting to take over a pharma company unlawfully using deceptive methods.LAZ must take a strong stand even in complex cases of misconduct by advocates to protect the rule of law in Zambia.
Fake advocates are rare, but crooks licensed by LAZ are all too common. Why not include Solicitor General Marshal Muchende as well? To qualify as solicitor general, one must be licensed as a lawyer by LAZ. Yet, Marshal has been caught up in many scandals, and LAZ is silent. ACC began investigations, yet Tom Shamakamba was even dismissed for investigating the Solicitor General. LAZ is crucial in upholding standards and removing the rot within their body.
Very true. PF used Mosho to shut down the Post Newspaper and the Judicial Complaints Commission later removed Judge Sunday Nkonde for his unprofessional conduct. Still, Lewis Mosho himself was untouched by LAZ. Why is that? J.M Madika of J and M Adocates may have got sticky with his client’s money but was saved by LAZ Senior Counsel Chifuma Banda, proving every crook has another bent lawyer ready to lend a helping hand shamelessly. Lawyer Chifuma Banda compromises the National Prosecution Authority to ensure Madika is cleared in criminal courts with a weak prosecution. This is a band of thieves, and of course, LAZ protects its own and instead wastes our time talking about a fake lawyer appearing in the local court.
@ LAZ WAKE UP -Marshal is considered a significant fundraiser for UPND, so his corrupt activities are overlooked. Additionally, he had received major party funding from SA through his law firm before the election. If the Anti-Corruption Commission had arrested the Solicitor General, he might have exposed damaging information so he has been protected for the dual role of fundraiser and protector of past secrets. In contrast, Shamakamba was dismissed for merely doing his job at ACC. This is the oddity of life and why we remain backward and undeveloped. LAZ would need people of courage at the helm to confront the level of corruption and abuse of power which has taken hold in Zambia.
@ Nancy, it is common knowledge that Marshal Muchende received at least USD 500 K from the former KCM liquidator in exchange for his immunity agreement. Muchende bought a house with the money and the anti corruption commission has the money trail right to his acount. This is the quality of attorney general chambers under UPND. Laz is powerless in face of such brazen corruption by lawyers and must instead bark at a nobody imposter attorney, to seem relevent.
It is very sad that citizens are left with no choice but to seek services from individuals posing as lawyer’s mainly out of desperation due to the fact that lawyers in Zambia just like our medical professionals often lack empathy towards their clients and will let them hang out to rot in the sun. We have all been dealt a very hard hand by lawyers demanding for money for the most simple of services. No other profession in Zambia charges K1500 for less than an hour of consultancy. How do you realistically expect an average Zambian to receive the correct legal advice with this kind of lapse?
Power to the people is creating a more user friendly system that allows the average Zambian who can read and write to be able to stand up and present themselves in a court of law, at least for most of the legal matters. That is true justice not where law and it’s interpretation must be the reserve of a community of professionals that quite honestly has become entirely engrossed in wealth accumulation at any cost within the legal system sometimes even breaking the law they pledged to defend. Ultimately God above will judge us all.
Why are they focusing on minor and exceptional cases of bogus lawyers but remaining silent on major issues affecting the Law Association of Zambia?! It is well known that the LAZ and the Judiciary committees did not approve the names submitted by President Hichlema for nomination to State Counsel. Home Minister Jack Mwiimbu and others were rejected. However, the President proceeded to appoint these undeserving candidates as State Counsels, which undermined the entire legal profession. Surprisingly, despite them not being cleared, LAZ did not speak out about this.
@ Kaunda, nobody would have thought Laz would let President Hichlema insult the SCs in this country without uttering a word in protest. Mwiimbu has never won any case in court. He is infamous for his time as legal director at Lusaka City Council, where he made money by selling council land to land speculators for a share of the profits. It’s even more ironic that President Mwanawasa, who HH always praises, was the first State Counsel in Zambia. Late Mwanawasa must be turning in his grave with the current standards at LAZ and the Office of the President.
@ Mumba, you are wrong to think Mwiimbu was selling Lusaka city council land just for himself! He was sharing part of this loot with UPND and now they are paying him back with the minister’s post. Why do you think he was the first minister sworn into the cabinet and remains untouchable …
@Kaunda – I am shocked to learn that LAZ did not clear the last set of candidates for State Counsel! Will LAZ please clarify as soon as possible? If this is true, it is an abuse of power and evidence of corrupt political patronage within the Government.
Fake or not Fake they’re all Bandits…..greedy and thieving….and we have a compromised criminal justice
I am often fascinated by ‘WARNINGS’ in Zambia. If there are fake lawyers, why not prosecute them instead of warning? Warning means that you do not know who they are.