The Economic and Financial Crimes Court was presented with startling revelations as prosecutors detailed how Chrint Sichamba, proprietor of Ndozo Lodge, received over $3.5 million in his business bank account in a single day. The funds are alleged to be proceeds of crime.
During the trial, Clement Chipasha, an arresting officer from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), testified that Mr. Sichamba’s business accounts, belonging to Mulozi Trading Limited and Ndozo Lodge, received multiple large deposits. These included amounts of $3 million,$800,000, and $300,000, among others, raising suspicions of illicit financial activity.
The court also heard that Ndozo Lodge, based on documents obtained from the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), owned nine motor vehicles, six of which are suspected to be proceeds of crime. Further investigations revealed that Mr. Sichamba personally owned six vehicles, his wife Nambela owned five, and their son David owned four. Additionally, Mulozi Trading Limited, also owned by the Sichamba family, possessed 34 vehicles, with 31 suspected to be linked to criminal activities.
Mr. Sichamba, a known associate of former President Edgar Lungu, is standing trial alongside his wife, son, and two others. The group faces charges of acquiring 140 properties between 2015 and 2021, which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
The prosecution’s case hinges on tracing the origins of the substantial funds and assets accumulated by the accused during the six-year period. The defense team is expected to cross-examine Mr. Chipasha tomorrow, February 20, 2025, as the trial continues.
The case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting the ongoing efforts by the ACC to combat corruption and recover assets suspected to be acquired through illegal means.
Lawyers help me on this. What burden of proof does “reasonably suspected” carry here? I still struggle to find how this can be used as commensurate evidence to enlist a conviction or seizure. I have read through a few judgments over this proceeds of crime situation and I am still not convinced.
Money launderers love people like you, Kalok. These were business bank accounts. Ndozo Lodge just has to adduce evidence why his companies were receiving this kind of money. It would also be interesting to find out if the companies are making this kind of money since 2021. The report unfortunately does not say if these were bank-to-bank transfers or cash deposits in US dollars but I want believe that the investigators know what form the “deposits” took.
I’ve always been interested to know which crime brought these suspected proceeds of crime; is it drugs, bribery, theft by servant. Anyway let me leave it at that.
Criminal law is not static. It had to respond to changing and increasing sophistication of crime. This law was passed years ago before the UPND took office. Clint Sichamba is not guilty as no court of law has pronounced him as such. In fact if he had explained things during investigations, no arrest and prosecution would have ensued.
Bkalok, be informed that any one arrested or dragged to court is said to be “alleged to have,,,” while for object, wealth, or property in question taken before the court of law before jurisdiction is said” suspectedly acquired through processes or proceed of crime “.
$3 million in one day? What was he selling?
Thank you. Guess he was selling disco lights like Bowman or scrape metal like Kambwili
That’s the question the DEC wants answered in court.
What if it was a payment for services provided in the past?
It was a three year old dividend on shares from Zambezi Intercontinental Hotels
Imagine.
If that is true 3.5m us dollars per day Mmmh there’s a explanation to the court ad per incuriam.
It would be interesting to know who was making the deposits too, where else did those people deposit. Even before exhausting this case, it is very clear that there is some serious dubious activities regarding those deposits. Even banks how can they accept such huge deposits without any explanations. Ifwe mu diaspora even a £50 we asked to explain where it has originated. Zambia kuchalo zoona1
This is not to respond to the crime above. What has happened to the $80 million theft that landed in China? Is it back or it has stayed in China? If it is back in Zambia, who received it and where is it?
And the golf at KKIA?
And we cry for USAID and go beg for donations from the IMF…..corruption and theft by our leaders is a cancer in our society
Am here in a developed country bursting my ass for $10 dollars an hour and someone in a so called “poor” country is receiving $3.5 million dollars in a day…..