Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba and former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji have pleaded not guilty to ten counts of Willful failure to comply with procedure and being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Mr. Yamba and Mr. Malanji took plea today before Lusaka Magistrate Jennifer Bwalya after the State submitted an amended indictment.
In this matter, Mr. Yamba is accused of having failed to follow procedure in relation to the purchase of an estate in Turkey.
Mr. Malanji is accused of being in possession of houses, a hotel and Helicopter, property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Earlier, the Economic and Financial Crimes Court dismissed an application by the defence for the matter to be referred to the Constitutional court on account that the application was frivolous.
Magistrate Bwalya ruled that she cannot refer the matter to the Constitution Court on account that the indictment has insufficient details.
She said this is because the missing details in the indictment are the ones that the state will be called upon to provide evidence.
Magistrate Bwalya further warned the defence against delaying the Court process by making unnecessary applications as the accused deserve a speedy trial.