Ex-State House Permanent secretary sued over $50,000 govt vehicle seized by Drug Enforcement Commission

Former State House Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Chilubanama, has been dragged to court by a Lusaka businessman after a luxury government vehicle he allegedly sold for US$50,000 was seized by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).

The plaintiff, Peter Majula, a businessman of Rhodes Park in Lusaka, claims he legally purchased a brown Toyota Land Cruiser VXL from Chilubanama through a written letter of sale dated May 23, 2017, during the Patriotic Front (PF) administration.

According to the statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, Majula paid for the vehicle in instalments, beginning with US$15,000 in cash, followed by a bank transfer of the balance.

Majula stated that at the time of the transaction, Chilubanama was already using the vehicle for personal purposes and assured him that all procedures to transfer ownership from the Government of the Republic of Zambia would be completed.

However, Majula contended that the assurances later turned out to be false.

Court documents reveal that in July 2023, the DEC seized the vehicle on grounds that Chilubanama had allegedly failed to complete payments to the government for the motor vehicle at the time he exited office as Permanent Secretary.

“The defendant represented to the plaintiff that he would complete all procedures to change ownership of the motor vehicle from the Government into the plaintiff’s name,” reads part of the statement of claim.

Majula argued that Chilubanama has not disputed selling the vehicle or its subsequent seizure by the DEC, which he attributes to the defendant’s failure to finalise exit procedures with the government.

Despite repeated follow-ups and a formal demand letter issued by Messrs Nsama and Company on June 10, 2025, Majula claims Chilubanama has failed to refund the purchase price.

Majula is now seeking an order compelling Chilubanama to refund US$50,000, damages for misrepresentation, interest, and costs of the action.

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.