Developing story: Ex-PF Dep. Secretary General, Phiri, freed in murder case after 13 months in detention

The State has entered a NOLLE PROSEQUI against Hon Mumbi Phiri in the case she was accused of the murder of Lawrence Banda, a UPND cadre.

Meanwhile, the Court has adjourned to 15 hours today to pass judgment on Shebby Chilekwa who was the co-accused.

After 13 months of being in incarceration, former Patriotic Front (PF) Deputy Secretary General, Mumbi Phiri, has finally walked to freedom after the State entered a nolle prosequi in a case of murder.

Phiri, together with former President Edgar Lungu’s barber, Shebby Chilekwa, we’re arrested in February, 2022, over the murder of ruling United Party for National Development ( UPND) supporter, Lawrence Banda .

Banda was shot dead during the Counsel Chairperson By-election held in Kaoma District in Western Province in 2019.

Phiri and Chilekwa pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.

When the matter sheduled for judgement came up before Judge Charles Zulu, in Mongu on Wednesday, Senior State Advocate, Kayoka Sifali, informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had discontinued proceedings against Phiri.

“Now therefore I Kayoka Sifali, Senior State Advocate, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions for the Republic of Zambia, pursuant to the powers vested in me by Sections 81 and 82 of The Criminal Procedure code do authorize the entry in record of proceedings that proceedings are discontinued against Josephine Mumbi Phiri,” said Sifali.

Judge Zulu adjourned the matter to 15:00 hours to render his judgement for Chilekwa.

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