Rights Commission secures release of Cyber Crimes Act suspect on police bond pending court appearance

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) Zambia has successfully secured the release of 28-year-old Jeremiah Nkunika, who was arrested on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Lusaka on charges under the newly enacted Cyber Crimes Act.

Nkunika was charged with the offence of Prohibition of Harassment and Humiliation, contrary to Section 22 of the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025.

He was granted police bond on Thursday and released from Kabwata Police Station at approximately 13:00 hours after meeting the bond conditions. He is expected to appear in court on May 29, 2025.

According to a statement from the Commission, the HRC intervened after police initially insisted that only individuals in formal employment could stand as sureties.

The Commission successfully engaged police to allow Nkunika’s father, Peter Nkunika—a well-known businessman operating on Cairo Road near Photo Bank—to serve as surety.

“Mr. Nkunika is a renowned public figure and a credible, traceable surety despite not being in formal employment,” the Commission noted.

Earlier in the day, HRC officials visited Jeremiah at Kabwata Police Station to assess his condition and his right to liberty as enshrined in Article 13 of the Bill of Rights and Section 33 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Chapter 88 of the Laws of Zambia.

Following this preliminary assessment, the Commission reached out to both Peter Nkunika and senior officers at Police Headquarters to negotiate an amicable solution that respected the suspect’s constitutional rights.

“The Commission wishes to commend the police officers, both at Kabwata and Headquarters, for their professional conduct and prompt adherence to due process,” the statement added.

The HRC reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the case to ensure that constitutional protections, particularly under Articles 13 and 18 of the Bill of Rights, were upheld.

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.