Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba's Bench Warrant Revoked

In a recent turn of events, the Lusaka Magistrate Court made a significant decision regarding the bench warrant issued against Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba on January 31, 2024. This decision came after Ambassador Mwamba returned from the United States and voluntarily presented himself before the court, seeking to address the issue at hand.

Ambassador Mwamba expressed regret to the court for his absence, explaining that he had been advised by his legal counsel that his matter would be adjourned due to their prior commitments in the High Court. However, upon learning of the bench warrant, he promptly cut short his trip and flew back to Zambia to address the misunderstanding surrounding his absence. Moreover, he assured the court that he would seek permission before traveling outside the court's jurisdiction in the future.

Magistrate Trevor Kasanda, presiding over the case, acknowledged Ambassador Mwamba's explanation and decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, leading to the revocation of the bench warrant. Additionally, the sureties for Ambassador Mwamba, Mufulira MP Honorable Golden Mwila and Msanzala MP Honorable Elias Daka, expressed their apologies to the court for not informing it of the accused's absence.

Magistrate Kasanda emphasized the importance of adhering to court schedules and reminded all parties involved that the court holds the authority to waive the accused's presence only under specific circumstances.

Furthermore, the state sought to impose stricter conditions on Ambassador Mwamba's police bond, including depositing his passport with the court, citing concerns about him being a flight risk. However, Ambassador Mwamba's counsel, Makebi Zulu from Makebi Zulu and Advocates, strongly objected to this application, arguing that Ambassador Mwamba's presence in court demonstrated his commitment to legal proceedings. Magistrate Kasanda concurred with this argument and dismissed the assertion that Ambassador Mwamba posed a flight risk. Nevertheless, he ordered Ambassador Mwamba to surrender his passport to the Senior Clerk of Court, ensuring that the court would be involved in any decision regarding his travel plans.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of communication between all parties involved in legal proceedings and the necessity of adhering to court directives. It also underscores the principle of innocent until proven guilty and the role of the court in ensuring fair treatment for all individuals within its jurisdiction.