Prosecution Of Henry Was Aimed at Destructing The Main Opposition Party:Henry's Lawyers

Lawyers representing Rupiah Banda’s son Henry have charged that the Zambian government lacks a clear case against their client.

Robert Amsterdam of Amsterdam and Peroff LLP said it is clear that the matter was politically motivated farce.

Mr Amsterdam has criticised a fundamental lack of credibility to the State’s case given its irregular and unlawful abuse of the process.

“If you look at the way this matter is being handled by Zambia, you see all the hallmarks of a politically motivated farce,” said Robert Amsterdam.

“Mr. Banda has never been questioned by the police about anything, while instead the State has conducted a trial by headlines consisting of frequently changing accusations. The fact that Zambia has refused to describe what Mr. Banda is accused of should set off alarm bells. It is a clear sign that they lack any real case.”

He said the persecution of Henry was ultimately aimed at pressuring the former president Rupiah Banda and the destruction of the main opposition party.

The lawyer said the allegations have been accompanied by a broad attack on the main opposition party Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), including a shocking attempt to de-register the party.

He wondered why Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda threatened diplomatic consequences if South Africa did not hand over Henry despite a total absence of charges.

Mr Amsterdam further said that the Zambian authorities had failed to respond to Henry’s legal representatives’ request for information and clarification of the alleged charges but decided to attack him in the media with unsubstantiated allegations including labelling him a fugitive.

“The conduct of the Zambian government, including the issuing of direct orders to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mutembo Nchito, to produce preferred verdicts, has violated international norms of due process, rule of law, and constitutional separation of powers,” said Amsterdam.

“Mr. Banda can hardly have any reasonable expectation of a fair judicial process, much less any fair treatment in the Zambian media.”

Amsterdam & Peroff LLP along with law firm Brian Kahn Inc of Johannesburg, South Africa represents the former President Rupiah Banda and his son Henry.

The legal team is in the process of presenting appeals before international bodies to expose the unlawful conduct undertaken

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