By 
A Lusaka resident, Ackson Tembo, has dragged the State to court demanding K4 million in compensation for alleged false imprisonment by Zambia Police officers.
In a statement of claim filed in puff the Lusaka High Court, Tembo, who cites the Attorney General as the defendant, claims he was unlawfully arrested in November, 2024 on allegations of obtaining money by false pretences and taking pecuniary advantage.
Tembo contends that although the offences he was accused of were bondable, officers at Police Headquarters unjustifiably denied him police bond, even after he met all bail conditions.
These included a K250,000 cash bail, the provision of two working sureties in managerial positions, and the surrender of his passport.
He states that despite complying with the requirements, police continued to detain him beyond the constitutionally prescribed 48-hour limit without presenting him before a competent court.
“It took the intervention of the High Court through a writ of habeas corpus to secure my release,” Tembo states.
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He accuses the police of acting without lawful justification and failing to provide any reasonable explanation for his prolonged detention.
He alleges that officers ignored repeated efforts to secure his release and neglected their legal obligation to uphold his constitutional rights.
Tembo argues that his continued detention beyond the legal timeframe amounted to false imprisonment and an infringement on his right to liberty and freedom of movement.
He is seeking K4 million in damages for unlawful detention and wrong imprisonment, along with K400,000 for recovery and legal fees. He is also demanding costs for the legal action.
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