Zambia’s Former President Charged over Corrupt Practices Linked to a Nigerian Oil Deal

bandaZambia officially charged its former President, Rupiah Banda, for abuse of authority over a Nigerian oil deal, a government spokesperson, Namukolo Kasumpa, said on Monday.

Speaking for the government’s investigation team, Kasumpa said Banda, who has been accused of misappropriating more than 11 million dollars during his three years in office, was arrested and then later released on a bond. She said he will appear in court again on Tuesday.

The former president was this month stripped of immunity from prosecution, a sign that it was getting closer to bringing formal charges against him. Banda has, however, maintained his innocence. The former president was questioned for nearly three hours after his arrest, his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota said, adding that Banda had done nothing wrong.

Banda later appeared before supporters telling them to remain calm and that he would win his case in court. He was defeated in 2011 by rival Michael Sata, whose government has launched several high-profile corruption probes into deals struck by the former administration.

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