THE Lusaka magistrates’ court has warned that it will not entertain an application by former Labour minister Austin Liato to again adjourn his abuse of authority case if he does not appear in court today.
Liato’s failure to appear before court for continued trial yesterday prompted to senior resident magistrate David Simusamba to adjourn the case to today because Liato failed to appear for his continued trial.
Particulars of the offence are that Liato, 46, on or about June 8, 2010, being minister of Labour did abuse authority of office by facilitating the sinking of two boreholes at his farm in Mwembeshi, thereby obtaining property or advantage or profits to himself, an act prejudicial to the interest of the Government of Zambia.
It is alleged in the second count that on an unknown date but between May 14, 2010 and May 19, 2010 Liato did abuse the authority of office by facilitating the diversion of two hammer mills meant for the people of Kaoma District.
When the matter was called up yesterday, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prosecutor James Mataliro informed the court that Liato was not before it.
One of Liato’s defence lawyers, Moses Chitambala told the court that Liato was not before court because he was given a wrong date by another lawyer who had attended the last session.
Mr Chitambala said that Liato instead had appeared on August 12, 2013 but the court was sitting.
He said his client’s absence should not be viewed as being disrespectful to the court but that his client should be pardoned and have the matter adjourned to today.
But Mr Simusamba said it was surprising that Liato was claiming to have had wrong dates when the matter was clearly adjourned to yesterday in the presence of his lawyers.
Mr Simusamba in his ruling said it was strange for the accused to claim having wrong a date when his lawyer was in the forefront of suggesting for yesterday’s date when the matter was adjourned last time.
He warned that he would proceed with trial today with or without Liato’s appearance in court as he would not entertain any further adjournments.
last time i checked,the bafoon was digging a tunnel to burry himself. how greedy can someone be,diverting two hummermills, sinking two boreholes then burying billions. zambians must consider themselves lucky that PF won the elections. we are now recording development like never seen before. PF for 2021.
Are you in zambia mate?
betters, good questions haha. you and sealed it with the ‘mate’…
Are any of you in Zambia boeties
BLACK BELT, are you aware that the people you are praising had at one time put Government funds into their personal accounts at Standard Chartered Bank? Anyway I will forgive you because either you were still young then or you are all members of Alice Lenshina ‘s Lumpa sect!!
More delaying tactics. Just remember “Justice delayed = Justice denied. Please Manga Kawalala!! Chimbokaila is where economic saboteurs belong- end of story!!
Was never absent when he was abusing office.
Cage him so I can completely take over that wife of his the guy is too ugly for me to continue sharing her with that *****.
For me i only blame as zambians, those of us informal employment are being taxed to the hilt for the economic advancements that should have happened when these bafoons were pocketing our money and we are just quiet, remove subsidies everyone went up in arms. Why dont people riot to see that at least some of the kwangalas end up in prison.
Sata should account for the 2billion also!
The cash he was giving during convention!
In whose posesion did tht 2 bilion ws it before Sata?In whose name ws the money paid thrugh before Sata held yr aclaimed posesion?Ar u able to answre those complictions?Is true beyond reasonable doubt he held posesion of the acused u re acusing the big man.For such legalities the likes of Wynter & Edgar Lungu togethr with Membe & Nchito its biscuit!