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NRPUP MP-elect for Mwenzo Constituency Lukas Simumba and two others have asked the Lusaka High Court to order their release from police custody, arguing that their continued detention without being charged is unlawful and unconstitutional.
Simumba, Kenny Sikaonga and Ronnie Mulwe have filed an application for a writ of habeas corpus against the Attorney General, seeking an order compelling authorities to bring them before court and explain the reasons for their detention.
In an affidavit supporting the application, Simumba said the three were picked up by police officers, allegedly from Force Headquarters, around 20:00 hours on August 16, 2026, and taken to Chinsali Police Station in Muchinga Province.
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He said they remained detained at Chinsali Police Station until August 18, when they were loaded into a police Land Cruiser around 19:00 hours and transported to Lusaka, where they continued to be detained at Kabwata Police Station.
Simumba said that during their detention, none of them was informed of the reasons for their arrest or charged with any offence.
He said the trio had spent four days in custody without being taken to court or granted police bond.
According to Simumba, police had refused or neglected to release them, claiming that investigations were still ongoing.
He argued that authorities could not continue holding them for purposes of investigations without charging them or taking them before a competent court.
Simumba said their lawyers had advised them that their continued detention was unlawful and unconstitutional.
He has asked the court to urgently issue the writ of habeas corpus under Order 54 of the Rules of the Supreme Court, commonly known as the White Book, so that the legality of their detention can be examined.
The applicants want the court to scrutinise the reasons for their detention and order appropriate relief.
Simumba, a member of the opposition NRPUP, was elected Member of Parliament for Mwenzo Constituency in Nakonde on August 13.
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