By 
A Lusaka court has jailed former Kasama MP Kelvin Sampa for three years, bringing a dramatic end to a gold deal gone wrong that left a Japanese investor US$80,000 out of pocket and exposed a cache of counterfeit currency.
Sampa, 52, was convicted of theft, possession of forged bank notes, and possession of materials used in forgery, but walked free on a separate charge involving US$70,000 due to lack of evidence.
The case centred on a failed gold transaction in which two foreign investors travelled to Zambia seeking to purchase gold through Sampa, who acted as their local contact.
Read more: Alleged scam: Why ex-MP, Sampa’s trial failed to kick-off in $5,600 theft case
According to court findings, Satoshi Sakamoto entrusted Sampa with US$80,000, which the former lawmaker kept in a safe at his residence pending completion of the deal.
However, when the safe was later opened, the money was missing and instead contained forged US$100 notes.
In her judgment, Acting Chief Resident Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga said Sampa’s role went beyond that of a mere facilitator and amounted to that of an agent entrusted with custody of the funds.
“Once he accepted to keep the money for purposes of purchasing gold, he assumed responsibility over it,” she said.
The court rejected Sampa’s defence that the complainants or third parties could have interfered with the safe, noting inconsistencies in his account and his control over the keys and contents.
The magistrate ruled that the presence of 110 counterfeit notes and over 7,600 cut paper pieces resembling US$100 bills pointed to knowledge and intent.
“The accused’s conduct before and after the discovery of the forged notes demonstrates awareness of their nature,” she said.
On the count relating to US$70,000 allegedly given by another investor, the court found gaps in the prosecution’s case, particularly the absence of corroborating witnesses.
In mitigation, Sampa’s lawyer urged the court to consider his client’s status as a first offender, former parliamentarian, and businessman, arguing that the matter arose from a commercial arrangement rather than criminal intent, and that Sampa showed remorse and a willingness to change.
But the court held that the offence was serious and warranted a custodial sentence.
Sampa was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour, effective today.
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