PF Secretary-General, Nakacinda, denied bail pending appeal

Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary-General, Raphael Nakacinda, has been denied bail pending appeal by the Lusaka High Court.

High Court Judge, Annie Ononuju, ruled that Nakacinda failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances warranting the granting of bail, adding that the court does not foresee any delay in the hearing of his appeal.

Read more: How Judge Malata-Onunuju dismissed Nakacinda’s defense before confirming 18 months jail sentence

In a report by ZNBC, the ruling followed Nakacinda’s argument that without bail, he would serve a significant portion of his three-year sentence before his appeal is determined.

Nakacinda had applied for bail after the Lusaka High Court upheld his 18-month conviction by the Subordinate Court for defamation of President Hakainde Hichilema.

Nakacinda was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by Lusaka Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga on May 17, 2024, after being found guilty of defaming President Hichilema through remarks suggesting the President was meeting and coercing judges at his residence to punish political opponents.

His appeal was dismissed by High Court Judge Anne Mary Kachenga Malata Ononuju on October 21, 2025, who upheld the conviction and sentence.

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