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Zambia's ex-President Rupiah Banda pleads not guilty | Zambia's ex-President Rupiah Banda pleads not guilty |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Zambia's former President Rupiah Banda has pleaded not guilty to a charge of abuse of power during his time in office. | Zambia's former President Rupiah Banda has pleaded not guilty to a charge of abuse of power during his time in office. |
The charges relate to an oil deal signed with a Nigerian company, which prosecutors say was meant to benefit Mr Banda and his family. | The charges relate to an oil deal signed with a Nigerian company, which prosecutors say was meant to benefit Mr Banda and his family. |
"No my Lord, I deny the charge," Mr Banda told the court, AFP reports. | "No my Lord, I deny the charge," Mr Banda told the court, AFP reports. |
The ex-president says the charges are part of a political witch-hunt against him and his allies. | The ex-president says the charges are part of a political witch-hunt against him and his allies. |
After three years in power, he lost the 2011 election to Michael Sata. | After three years in power, he lost the 2011 election to Michael Sata. |
He was arrested and questioned for nearly three hours before being freed on bail on Monday. | He was arrested and questioned for nearly three hours before being freed on bail on Monday. |
Earlier this month the 76-year-old was stripped of presidential immunity. | Earlier this month the 76-year-old was stripped of presidential immunity. |
Prosecutors say Mr Banda instructed his son Henry to stash away the proceeds from the oil deal, which were to be used for the benefit of his family. | |
Henry Banda left the country shortly after his father lost power and is wanted by Zambian police. | |
The new government has launched a high-profile investigation into allegations of corruption by members of Mr Banda's administration. | The new government has launched a high-profile investigation into allegations of corruption by members of Mr Banda's administration. |
One former minister has been found guilty and is appealing against his conviction. | One former minister has been found guilty and is appealing against his conviction. |
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