Bowman Lusambo opposes state’s bid to seize his properties!

Jailed former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has opposed the state’s application to forfeit his properties in Lusaka’s Chamba Valley area on the basis that the land in question is a sub-division and remains the subject of separate High Court proceedings.

Mr. Lusambo says by virtue of the sub-division of the property in question, it makes it difficult to point entirely that he owns the properties on a sub-divided land.

In an affidavit in opposition filed at the Subordinate Court today, Mr. Lusambo says he filed a notice and memorandum of appeal against his conviction and sentence adding that the pending appeal raises serious questions of law and fact which must be determined before any forfeiture order is made.

He argues that a conviction under appeal is not final and that immediate forfeiture would render the appeal academic and cause irreparable prejudice.

The affidavit states that the defence has demonstrated arguable grounds of appeal and asks the court to stay any forfeiture pending the outcome of the High Court process and urged the court to respect established authorities requiring third parties and affected owners to be given notice and an opportunity to be heard before property is confiscated.

And an interested party to the property in question, Mukuka Mukonge through his legal representative has asked for more time to respond to the state’s application for forfeiture.

On 1st September 2025, Mr. Lusambo was jailed to 3 years with hard labour on 2 counts of possession of property established to have been proceed of crime prompting prosecutors to seek an order for forfeiture upon conviction, citing the forfeiture of proceeds of crime act.

Ruling has been reserved for October 2025.