Citizen First Party youth leader, Chongu, wife sued for alleged land grab

Former Patriotic Front (PF) cadre and now Citizen First Party National Youth Chairperson, Maxwell Chongu, and his wife, Rozyna Mumba, have been taken to court over allegations that they fraudulently transferred ownership of a Lusaka property belonging to the late Frank Nga’mbi into their names without the family’s knowledge or consent.

The lawsuit has been filed by Pricillar Ng’ambi, widow of the late Nga’mbi, in her capacity as administratrix of his estate, together with his son and co-administrator, Chilumba Ng’ambi.

Also cited as defendants are the Commissioner of Lands, the Attorney General, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to the statement of claim, the plaintiffs allege that Chongu “fraudulently effected the change of ownership of Property No. L/12576/M/C from Frank Nga’mbi to himself.”

They further claim that Mumba acted as a caveator and intended purchaser, while the Commissioner of Lands issued the contested certificate of title.

The ACC is alleged to have investigated the acquisition and placed a restriction notice on the property.

The Attorney General has been joined to represent the state’s interest.

“Following my husband’s death, we were appointed administrators of his estate,” Pricillar Ng’ambi said.

“We only discovered the fraudulent change of ownership when we conducted a land search and obtained a land register printout showing that Mr. Chongu had purchased the property and was issued with a certificate of title by the Commissioner of Lands, without our knowledge.” Ng’ambi said.

The claim states that the estate previously earned K14,259 per month in rental income from students occupying the property.

The plaintiffs allege that, for the past 62 months, Chongu has collected the rentals, depriving the estate of its rightful income.

They are seeking several remedies, including the removal of the caveat placed by Mumba and the restriction notice issued by the ACC.

The plaintiffs also want the cancellation of the certificate of title allegedly issued fraudulently to Chongu and the reversion of the property to the estate of the late Frank Nga’mbi.

Additionally, they are demanding K883,500 in lost rental income, damages for inconvenience and fraudulent acquisition, interest on all sums due and an interim injunction restraining the defendants or their agents from collecting rent.

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