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LUSAKA (Reuters) – Zambia’s parliament stripped former President Rupiah Banda of immunity from prosecution yesterday,Randall Cobb Packers Jersey, clearing the way for investigators to arrest him for corruption-related offences.Banda is accused of abuse of office,Devonta Freeman Falcons Jersey, corrupt acquisition of public property and misappropriation of public funds involving more than $11 million during his tenure as president.Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba said the government had concluded its investigations and were ready to prosecute.“We bring this motion in the interest of the country,Brian Poole Falcons Jersey,” Kabimba said,Green Bay Packers Jersey,Banda was swept from office in 2011 by current President Michael Sata,Grady Jarrett Falcons Jersey, whose government has launched several high-profile graft probes into deals struck by the former administration while it ran Africa’s biggest copper-producing country.Kabimba has accused Banda of siphoning $2.5 million from the treasury in a 2008 oil deal and the former president has also been accused of using public funds to finance his 2011 campaign.Banda’s lawyer Robert Amsterdam said in a statement that yesterday’s action in parliament was aimed at getting rid of political competitors.Sata’s government has already won convictions against a few Banda officials and has been investigating suspected shortfalls in tax collection revenues from copper.In February,Matt Ryan Falcons Jersey, Banda who then enjoyed immunity from prosecution,Troy Polamalu Steelers Jersey, refused to appear before a team of investigators,Kevin Greene Steelers Jersey, which summoned him for questioning on graft allegations. |
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