Sumaili pleads not guilty to contempt of court as DPP takes over case

Godfridah Sumaili

Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili has pleaded not guilty to a charge of contempt of court.

And as expected, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has taken over the prosecution of the matter.

This is in a matter in which UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has asked the court to cite Reverend Sumaili for contempt of court over remarks attributed to her that he was arrested because he pushed President Edgar Lungu to the wall by not recognising his presidency.

The DPP had applied to take over the matter when it first came up, arguing that Hichilema could not hire private lawyers to prosecute a criminal case because all criminal matters in Zambia are supposed to be prosecuted by her office.

Hichilema’s lawyers had objected to the application.

But when the case came up today, one of Hichilma’s lawyers Zevyanji Sinkala informed Senior Resident Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga that they had withdrawn their application objecting to the taking over of the matter by the DPP.

State advocate Chimbeka Sakala from the National Prosecutions Authority was present in court and took over the prosecution, after which Reverend Sumaili entered a not guilty plea.

The case has been adjourned to September 25, 2017 for commencement of trial.

The DPP is expected to discontinue the matter by entering a nolle prosequi when the matter comes up for trial on September 25.

Reverend Sumaili is represented by Eric Silwamba while Hichilema is represented by Keith Mweemba and others.