Former Zambian president, Mr.
Rupiah Banda, was arrested on
Monday by the country's law
enforcement agents over
allegations of corruption and
abuse of office, following a
crude oil import deal with
Nigeria.
Banda, according to an online
news agency,
hotnaijanews.com, was also
alleged to have
misappropriated about $11m
during his three-year reign as
President of the country.
The country's authorities are
accusing him of procuring oil
which did not benefit the
country.
He was said to have imported
crude oil from Nigeria without
actual deliveries, despite the
fact that the funds were
deposited into the bank
account of his son.
Banda, who was released from
police custody and is due to
appear in court on Tuesday,
however, said the moves
against him are politically
motivated.
He was questioned for close to
three hours after his arrest
related to the oil deal Monday
before he was released on bail.
Banda denies the charges, and
his lawyers claim the arrest is
an attempt by current
President Michael Sata to
silence him.
After his release, Banda
appeared before his
supporters and told them to
remain calm, reassuring them he
would win his case in court.
Earlier this month, parliament
lifted Banda's presidential
immunity, clearing the way for
him to be prosecuted for
several corruption and abuse
of office charges.
Banda lost to President Michael
Sata in 2011 elections. The new
government has been pursuing
the corruption investigations
against the former leader and
his political allies.
Banda, born 13 February 1937,
was President of Zambia from
2008 to 2011.
During the Presidency of
Kenneth Kaunda, Banda held
important diplomatic posts and
was active in politics as a
member of the United National
Independence Party. Years
later, he was appointed as
Vice-President by President
Levy Mwanawasa in October
2006, following the latter's re-
election.
He took over Mwanawasa's
presidential responsibilities
after Mwanawasa suffered a
stroke in June 2008, and
following Mwanawasa's death
in August 2008, he became
acting President. As the
candidate of the governing
Movement for Multiparty
Democracy, he narrowly won
the October 2008 presidential
election, according to official
results.
Opposition leader Michael Sata
defeated Banda in the
September 2011 presidential
election, and Sata accordingly
succeeded Banda as President
on September 23, 2011.
www.mobile.punchng.com/output.php?link=http://www.punchng.com/news/ex-zambian-president-arrested-over-nigerian-oil-deal/
www.m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21925752

fatdon1: Former Zambian president, Mr.
Rupiah Banda, was arrested on
Monday by the country's law
enforcement agents over
allegations of corruption and
abuse of office, following a
crude oil import deal with
Nigeria.
Banda, according to an online
news agency,
hotnaijanews.com, was also
alleged to have
misappropriated about $11m
during his three-year reign as
President of the country.
The country's authorities are
accusing him of procuring oil
which did not benefit the
country.
He was said to have imported
crude oil from Nigeria without
actual deliveries, despite the
fact that the funds were
deposited into the bank
account of his son.
Banda, who was released from
police custody and is due to
appear in court on Tuesday,
however, said the moves
against him are politically
motivated.
He was questioned for close to
three hours after his arrest
related to the oil deal Monday
before he was released on bail.
Banda denies the charges, and
his lawyers claim the arrest is
an attempt by current
President Michael Sata to
silence him.
After his release, Banda
appeared before his
supporters and told them to
remain calm, reassuring them he
would win his case in court.
Earlier this month, parliament
lifted Banda's presidential
immunity, clearing the way for
him to be prosecuted for
several corruption and abuse
of office charges.
Banda lost to President Michael
Sata in 2011 elections. The new
government has been pursuing
the corruption investigations
against the former leader and
his political allies.
Banda, born 13 February 1937,
was President of Zambia from
2008 to 2011.
During the Presidency of
Kenneth Kaunda, Banda held
important diplomatic posts and
was active in politics as a
member of the United National
Independence Party. Years
later, he was appointed as
Vice-President by President
Levy Mwanawasa in October
2006, following the latter's re-
election.
He took over Mwanawasa's
presidential responsibilities
after Mwanawasa suffered a
stroke in June 2008, and
following Mwanawasa's death
in August 2008, he became
acting President. As the
candidate of the governing
Movement for Multiparty
Democracy, he narrowly won
the October 2008 presidential
election, according to official
results.
Opposition leader Michael Sata
defeated Banda in the
September 2011 presidential
election, and Sata accordingly
succeeded Banda as President
on September 23, 2011.
www.mobile.punchng.com/output.php?link=http://www.punchng.com/news/ex-zambian-president-arrested-over-nigerian-oil-deal/
www.m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21925752

Wen wil Africa be ruled by leaders who are not driven by their parochial desires only??