ACC Legal Officcer pleads not guilty to K20,000 theft, destruction of evidence

A Lusaka-based Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) legal officer has denied allegations that he stole K20,000 held as an exhibit in a drug trafficking case and later destroyed the cash to prevent it from being produced in court.

Elias Sapwe Kasonde Simfukwe, 30, appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Martin Namushi and pleaded not guilty to charges of theft by public servant and destruction of evidence.

The allegations stem from the disappearance of K20,000 that was being kept in the ACC exhibits office and was expected to be used as evidence in criminal proceedings against Henry Shula Kasolo.

According to the charge sheet, Simfukwe, while serving as a Legal and Prosecutions Officer at the ACC, allegedly stole the money on March 13, 2026, after it came into his possession through the course of his official duties.

Prosecutors further allege that between March 13 and May 24, 2026, he intentionally removed and destroyed the cash, knowing it was required as evidence in an ongoing judicial proceeding.

When the matter was called for plea, prosecutors Salome Tembo and Peter Imanga applied to amend the dates contained in the indictment. The application, made under Section 30 of the Criminal Procedure Code, was not opposed by the defence.

After the amendments were granted, Simfukwe, who identified himself as an ACC lawyer residing in Chalala, denied both counts.

The State informed the court that it was ready to proceed with trial, but defence counsel Isaac Mweenda of T.S. Chilembo and Associates sought an adjournment, saying he had not yet received full instructions from his client.

Mweenda submitted that Simfukwe had recently been served with a dismissal letter and was emotionally distressed following his detention, making it difficult to adequately prepare his defence.

The prosecution did not oppose the request.

Magistrate Namushi directed the defence to file a formal application for bail pending trial, with the State expected to respond thereafter.

The case was adjourned to June 12, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application.

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