FORMER Ministry of Health human resources officer Henry Kapoko and eight others have been acquitted of 21 counts of corrupt activities involving over K4 million allegedly stolen using Royal College of Business and Management of Lusaka. The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has, however, convicted and sentenced to three years simple imprisonment the proprietor of Royal College of Business and Management Valenta Nkhata for receiving and withdrawing over K4 million meant for the workshop of Ministry of Health staff, which did not take place. Deputy director of commercial court Sharon Newa, sitting as magistrate, acquitted Mr Kapoko and eight others in Lusaka on Friday after establishing that the prosecution had failed to prove charges of theft, theft by public servant and money laundering beyond reasonable doubt. Mrs Newa started reading the judgement, which had only an hour break from 13:00 hours to 14:00 hours, at 09:30 hours and ended at 22:10 on Friday. This is a record-breaking judgement as it is the longest ever in the history of the judiciary to last about 13 hours. “The evidence before the court shows that the accused persons did not personally benefit from the money paid to Royal College. I find that there is insufficient evidence to link the accused to the said money and draw an inference upon which to convict them. I, therefore, find them not guilty and I acquit them forthwith accordingly,” she said. Mr Kapoko was jointly charged with Nobert Peleti (assistant director-administration), Evaristo Musaba (chief accountant), Chrispine Sichone (director of health policy) and Zukas Kaoma (principal accountant) all employees of the Ministry of Health. Others are Enala Phiri (assistant accountant), Vincent Luhana (senior accountant), Christopher Bwalya (assistant internal auditor), all employees of the Ministry of Health, and Ms Nkhata’s daughter, Abigail. Mrs Newa discharged Abigail after convicting her because she did directly benefit from the K4 million which was deposited into the Royal College account. Abigail and her mother were jointly charged with eight counts of theft and Ms Nkhata was also charged separately with four counts of money laundering. daily-mail.co.zm/?p=5416
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 08:26:21 +0000