Zambia: Ex-president Rupiah Banda pleads not guilty to corruption charges

Former Zambia President Rupiah Banda. PHOTO/File

(AFP) – Zambia’s ex-president Rupiah Banda pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of illicitly receiving election campaign vehicles and breaking the country’s election rules from a Chinese-linked construction firm.

“I understand the charge your honor and I plead not guilty,” Banda said after the magistrate read the charge.

The 76-year-old also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of concealing the fact he received the trucks by registering them under the names of family members and a supporter.

It is alleged that the former leader used the vehicles, and broke the election rules during his 2011 re-election campaign, which he lost to current president Michael Sata.

Since Sata came to power he has rolled out an anti-corruption drive that has seen senior politicians and diplomats hauled before courts.

The former president has also been accused of personally benefiting from a US$2.5 million oil deal and has been blocked from leaving the country three times since April.

The trial was set for 26 November and Banda was released on police bond.