By 
A legal dispute between former Air Force chief, Eric Chimese and law firm K.B.F and Partners over more than K7 million in alleged unpaid legal fees has been referred to mediation.
The matter, before the Lusaka High Court, has been assigned to mediator, Kenneth Kalaluka.
In a notice dated February 5, 2026, Kalaluka informed both parties that he had been appointed to mediate the dispute and would act as a neutral facilitator. He said he would not serve as an advocate for either side and emphasised that the proceedings would be confidential.
He added that no party would be bound by anything said or done during the mediation unless a settlement was reached.
According to the statement of claim, Chimese engaged K.B.F and Partners in March 2019 to represent him in a criminal case before the Subordinate Court. The firm said it provided legal services from March 2019 until May 2023, when Chimese was acquitted.
The firm alleged that Chimese paid an initial deposit of K100,000 and verbally agreed to settle the balance once the bill was issued. K.B.F and Partners said it served him with a bill amounting to K7,730,000 on August 15, 2023, but no payment was made.
It was further alleged that the former defence chief undertook verbally to settle the outstanding amount in instalments but failed to honour the commitments.
The firm said it issued a demand letter on April 14, 2025, to which Chimese responded by requesting more time to raise funds.
However, no payment was made thereafter.
K.B.F and Partners argued that the failure to settle the amount, despite repeated promises, had caused loss and damage to the firm. It is seeking payment of K7,730,000, interest and legal costs.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments