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Given Lubinda, an opposition voice, has expressed concern over the renewed summons issued to Archbishop Alick Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), calling for transparency, fairness and respect for due process.
Banda had reportedly been summoned by the DEC on Monday, Sept. 28, prompting the Archdiocese of Lusaka to call on the faithful to remain united in prayer and solidarity with the Church leader.
In a statement dated Sept. 25, 2026, issued by the Communications Office of the Archdiocese of Lusaka (ADL), the Church said it was deeply concerned about the Archbishop’s safety and well-being following the renewed summons.
Reacting to the summons, Lubinda said no citizen was above the law, but equally no citizen was beneath the protection of the law.
He noted that Banda had indicated his readiness to respond to the summons through lawful process and said the responsibility of the DEC was to act professionally, fairly, impartially and without intimidation.
Lubinda said the public had not been told what the renewed summons concerned, noting that the earlier DEC matter in January involved investigations relating to a motor vehicle.
He said the Commission had indicated at the time that those investigations were continuing, but the present summons had not publicly been linked to that matter, nor had its subject been disclosed.
“This naturally raises a legitimate public question: after nearly nine months, have those investigations been concluded?” Lubinda said.
He added that if the investigations had been concluded, the public and Banda were entitled to appropriate clarification, and if not, the authorities should explain the basis for the renewed summons within the limits of an ongoing investigation.
Lubinda cautioned that the uncertainty should not become an excuse for speculation, political accusations or public condemnation, but also should not become an excuse for silence.
He described Banda as a senior religious leader who had exercised his moral and civic responsibility to speak about matters affecting the welfare, dignity and future of the nation.
“The right of a Church leader to speak on public affairs must not depend on whether those in authority agree with what he says,” Lubinda said.
Read More: Archbishop Banda reportedly summoned by Drug Enforcement Commission
He said members of the Catholic laity and political leaders who regarded the Archbishop’s voice as a prophetic call for truth, justice and the common good saw his witness as akin to the biblical “voice crying in the wilderness.”
Lubinda called for three concrete actions, including that the DEC publicly clarify, at the earliest appropriate opportunity, the legal basis and subject matter of the renewed summons.
He also called on oversight authorities to ensure that the Archbishop’s constitutional and legal rights were fully protected and that the matter was handled impartially. He further urged the Government and the DEC to communicate responsibly to avoid speculation.
“This is not a demand for anyone to be above investigation. It is a demand that any investigation be conducted lawfully, fairly and without intimidation,” Lubinda said.
He called on citizens to remain vigilant and peaceful and urged political leaders to insist that truth, justice, human dignity and the rule of law remain greater than any individual, party or government.
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