By 
Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda walked out of Lusaka Central Correctional Facility, popularly known as Chimbokaila, on Tuesday afternoon after completing his bail formalities, ending a night in custody following his arrest over a vehicle allegedly linked to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
Dr Banda, 62, was released at 16:20 hours after his lawyers completed the conditions attached to the K80,000 bail granted by Lusaka Magistrate Mwandu Nakazwe on Monday.
Magistrate Nakazwe ordered Dr Banda to provide three sureties, each bonded at K50,000, who must be based in Lusaka and employed by reputable organisations.
He was also ordered him to surrender all travel documents.
Read more: Developing story: Archbishop Banda pleads not guilty, granted K80,000 bail
A small group of fellow priests, civil rights activist Brebner Changala and parishioners gathered outside the correctional facility to await the Archbishop’s release.
Dr Banda was driven out of the facility and briefly waved at those gathered, expressing joy at his release and making the sign of the cross before leaving the premises.
His release followed the completion of the bail process by his legal team, which included lawyers John Sangwa and Bonaventure Mutale.
Dr Banda was granted bail after denying a charge of being found in possession of property reasonably believed to have been unlawfully obtained, contrary to Section 319 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that between April 22, 2021 and December 27, 2023, on dates unknown, Dr Banda was found in possession of a blue Toyota Hilux, registration number ALF 7734, reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained from ZRA.
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