Removal of Rupiah Banda’s Immunity is a Farce, says his Lawyer
Following the passage of a motion in Zambia’s National Assembly to remove the immunity of the former President Rupiah Banda, his international lawyer Robert Amsterdam describes the ruling party’s move as a “farce” that fails to pass the litmus test of legitimacy.
“We are disappointed but not surprised by today’s events,” said Amsterdam. “The ruling party’s witch hunt against the opposition began more than a year ago, including a defamation campaign against his son in which they failed to prove any wrongdoing. Now they want to start again with an attack against the internationally distinguished former president, with accusations based on light bulbs and lollipops.”
Banda’s international lawyer also questioned the manner in which the motion to remove immunity was passed:
“The Speaker allowed the motion to move forward despite repeated objections by half of the house, and proceeded to rush through the debate and vote despite a walkout by opposition MPs,” said Amsterdam. “Removal of presidential immunity is a serious measure, and one that should have broad multiparty support, or at least the dignity of a personal appearance by the head of state. Instead, the PF had to beg, borrow, and bribe by appointing opposition members as deputy ministers in order to just barely exceed 50% of the total seats.”
Amsterdam continued: “The removal of former President Banda’s immunity fails to pass the litmus test for legitimacy. Keeping in mind that this is the same government that only days ago fired live rounds into crowds of voters, the same people that have repeatedly arrested opposition leaders on bogus grounds, and the very same Justice Minister, Wynter Kabimba, who himself defiantly refused to answer corruption questions before the authorities, there can be little doubt about where the PF stands on matters of justice.”
“Removal of Banda’s immunity is totally unrelated to justice. It is a crass political strategy aimed at removing potential competitors to the successor of an ailing, enfeebled president,” said Amsterdam.
Comments Closed
102 Responses to Removal of Rupiah Banda’s Immunity is a Farce, says his Lawyer
Follow Us
Fuck immunity.zambia will never develop with this animal immunity in our constitution.
Ogoro - March 19, 2013
02:47
IT’S ALWAYS TOM AND JERRY SCENARIO IN ZAMBIA. WHEN ARE WE EVER GOING TO HAVE POLITICAL DECENCY IN OUR COUNTRY? ZAMBIANS ALWAYS CHOOSE WRONG PEOPLE AS LEADERS.RB INDEED ABUSED HIS OFFICE, BUT CAN NOT SURPASS SATA. YOU HAVE DESTROYED OUR COUNTRY NOBAKABWALALA NYWEBO. CABIJA KUMESO NCIINGA SATA.
COONDE - March 18, 2013
14:11
ROBERT UMFWILA KWISA,KUMATOKO OR KUMATWI?WHICH PART DO YOU USE FOR LISTENING? LEAVE ZAMBIAN ISSUES TO THE ZAMBIANS THIS SIMPLE ADVISED HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO YOU BUT YOU CONTINUE TAKING ON ISSUES THAT DO NOT INVOLVE YOU.WE UNDERSTAND YOUR MOTIVATION IS MONEY AND THAT’S WHY YOU HAVE CONTINUED TRYING TO SWAY YOUR UN USEFUL IDIOTS THIS TIME.GIVE BACK RB THE CHANGE SINCE YOUR SCHEMES HAVE FAILED TO PRESERVE HIS ACCLAIMED IMMUNITY WHICH HAS BEEN SO DEAR TO HIM OVER THE PAST PERIOD HE HAS BEEN OUT OF OFFICE. YOU ARE A FAKE GOLD DIGGER.
GEN K - March 18, 2013
13:54
Mini-star of Selectice Justice and Abominations with their Family Forest at work. Buisy playing the role of a master dribbler. Buisy Sweeping dirty under their cabinet,parliament and state house’s carpet. Acting as rambo cobra mission. No man no law and no war can stop him.
grandie 3000 - March 17, 2013
15:16
RB will explain, it’s a very easy case that has been slapped on him of which proves that the Invetigative team has not done it’s work for they want answers to their questions of which he will provide them. Ba Wynter is a useless Justice Minister, cant put up a tight case unless they want to eat public money in disguise of investigations and also private prosecutions like Mutembo Nchito did with Chiluba. Ma tricks, but we are watching closely. No one is compelled to reveal their party sources of campaign funds, and thats where the issue will hinge on. So the burden of proof lies with the state. The law will surely favour RB.
"Silent Majority" - March 17, 2013
14:26
This precedence will go on. When SATA is gone let KASEBA answer charges on where she got money for the buses she has been donating at an alarming rate until may be somebody cautioned her otherwise by now she should have donated over 365 buses. This is in the mind of the people. Dr Kaseba is expected to get 7.5 billion kwacha for her unconstitutional office at the end of her has husband’s first term. This fingure will be 15 billions if H.E MC SATA reigns for two terms. Honestly, and most likely the other Govt or cabinet may dim this as theft and CHRISTINE will be answerable. FTJ danced pelete not because there was a new party in place but because there was a change in the style of leadership. She will dance ‘ndendaule’ until she forgets the simper smiles she wears. In the political areana there are alot of pretenders and the madam may think everybody loves you but alas one day you will be alone. Ask Patrick Mwanawasa how he was used and later dumped. He made headline on the POST but now is black out – spent force as he called FTJ. Joseph Akafumba stood for elections and lost but he is now a PS so is the gentleman in Chongwe whom Maseba replaced -he is in Mozambique.
Muntu Na Muntu - March 17, 2013
11:43
We don’t want white colonialism again…. We have enough local and over qualified lawyers..
HH - March 17, 2013
11:10
Are you against GUY SCOTT?
Muntu Na Muntu - March 17, 2013
11:49
Our local lawyers-The Nchitos and Matibini leave a lot to be desired..
Fenwick - March 17, 2013
17:03
no one is above the law,that lawyer is foolish.
kanitundira - March 17, 2013
08:13
Probably educated just like you (witha doubt on your party). I doubt people who use strong language………….May you grew up taken care by your immediate sibling.
Muntu Na Muntu - March 17, 2013
11:54
When is this thing ever going to stop believe me 20years from now will still be talking about immunity in the parliament, lets see what happens when Sata is done with his terms, God whats wrong with this country?.Immunity preamble of the parliament every after 10 years of ruling the nation, i have no wish of joining you people.
Eustas Banda - March 17, 2013
05:33
Ka Kavimba winte nd Satana becaref watch th step u ar takng be ready in future coz u ar not clean aswell
Cairzzious - March 17, 2013
00:48
I do not know if RB stole money, but I know that he protected a criminal in the name of Victor Mukonka who stole the Global Fund. Unlike other missing funds, Global Fund was paid back to the donor using your tax!!!! Mukonka was protected after agreeing to testify against Kapoko and to stand as MMD MP in Monze central in 2011………
Whistle....blower - March 16, 2013
22:36
Please stop involving Victor in your ill conceived information. It is Henry Kapoko who stole the Global Funds and NEVER Victor. Don’t you know that the same money Kapoko stole was given to PF for campaigns in the run up to 2011 general elections? Check your facts dear before you accuse Victor. No wonder Kapoko was unilaterally acquitted in due course by your shaky courts of Law.
Mpombo George - March 17, 2013
19:20
Sorry
Hozamutumbuka - March 16, 2013
21:11
I think sata is also reading what pipo are saying,if rb was hard and rough lyk pf sata wud’nt hav bcom prezdent,now rb is a soft hearted person,jehovah wil not let him die of persecution,noone wil takeaway yo achievements,viva RB
Brighton chinyama - March 16, 2013
20:16
OUR MPS ARE NOT SERIOUS PEOPLE. IF YOU ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS COUNTRY U SHOULD HAVE NOT ALLOWED THE BUDGET TO GO THROU SO THAT WE HAVE GENERAL ELECTIONS. U KEEP ON WALKING OUT AND COMING BACK TO PARLIAMENT. WHY CANT U WALK OUT FOR GOOD UNTIL 2016 THAT THAT WE FORCE A GENERAL ELECTION. U ARE REALLY JOKERS. IF U WERE REALLY SERIOUS U COULD FORGO YOUR GRATUITY AND WALK OUT OF PARLIAMENT FOR GOOD. IF YOU HAVE TO SAVE ZAMBIA PLEASE DO IT NOW IF YOU CANT U ARE FOOLS AND IDIOTS WHO SHOULD JUST SHUT UP AND LET SATA TORMENT YOU ,YOU MAGGOTS YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS REALLY HOW CAN AN ILLITERATE PERSON TREAT YOU LIKE THIS AND U ARE STILL SITTED IN PARLIAMENT.
RUPIA HAS LEARNT THE HARD WAY . HE WAS TOO KIND TO SATA AND MMEMBE BATILA ULUSE LWALILE NKWALE. HE TREATED WHATEVER SATA SAID AS CHIMBUYA BUT TODAY HE IS IN SHIT.HE ALSO TREATED MMEMBE WITH KID GLOVES.MMEMBE AND POST SHOULD HAVE BEEN HISTORY BY NOW. THIS GUY STOLE AND HE SHOULD HAVE LOCKED UP TOGETHER WITH NCHITO AND SHOULD HAVE CLOSED HIS NEWSPAPER USING BAILLIFFS BUT RUPIA WAS TOO KIND HE WANTED TO TAKE HIS TIME BUT NOW HE HAS BEEN SHOWN HOW QUICKILY PEOPLE OUGHT TO MOVE wHEN DEALING witH ENEMIES.WHAT A SHAME MR DULL RUPIA ITS YOUR FAULT. YOU COULD HAVE STOPPED ALL THIS YOU HAD THE POWER AND EVERTHING AT YOUR DIPOSAL INCUDING HH, BUT ITS TOO LATE FOLK, YOU ARE IN FOR A BIG SUPRISE.
AS FOR YOU HH AND NEVERS I URGE YOU TO QUICKILY COME TO YOUR SENSES AND WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE YOUR ENEMY IS MOVING TOO FAST. IF YOU DO NOT TAKE MY WORD YOU WILL END UP LIKE RUPIA,TAKE MY WORD.
YOU TWO GUYS ORGANISE YOUR MPS TO LEAVE PARLIAMENT FOR GOOD AND THE THE TIME IS NOW LET US FRESH ELECTIONS NOW BECAUSE WAITING FOR 2016 WILL BE TOO LATE IF YOU DONT GET WHAT IAM SAYING YOU WILL REGRET MR HH AND NEVERS. TELL YOUR MPS TO LEAVE NOW,NOW,NOW,NOW. IF YOU WANT TO BE PATRIOTIC TO THE COUNTRY THE COUNTRY WONT BE KIND TO YOU. TIME IS NPW GUYS.
nyamazan - March 16, 2013
20:12
SIKOTA WAS IN THE CAMPAIGN TEAM FOR RB IN 2011,WHERE DID HE GET THE MONEY FOR THAT CAMPAIGNS?
amsterdam - March 16, 2013
20:10
SIKOTA CANNOT BE TRUSTED LOOK AT HIS EYES ALWAYS LOOKING FOR BUSINESS FROM PLUNDERERS.YOU CANNOT TRUST SUCH A FELLOW HE IS NOT A PRINCIPLED LAWYER AT ALL HE IS NOW AN OPPORTUNIST LEGAL BUSINESSMAN.
GEN K - March 18, 2013
14:00
The speaker acted on instructions and his pocket should be rich exhibiting nothing related to democracy totally failed to prevail over the house and it cannot be an overwhelming majority when the 87 present were all pf. Someone is sick in the mind and wants to live confusion behind. I can prophesy we will soon have by elections I wonder, when there is a meeting in egypt. Banda & Hakainde dont not labour to worry over what has happened one is in a comma it is a matter of time. These appointments we are seeing, it has never happened in this country. Some boot leakers refer to it as being principled and calling a political sunami . What cheek when he too has cases to answer in the courts of law.
Nanzati Mbuzi - March 16, 2013
19:31
A state funeral is almost!
kaseba mwansa - March 16, 2013
19:24
Those Mps who worked out do not deserve those seats they were not sent to parliament to protect thieves.RB must clear his name 2011 we saw the most extravagant campaign its not about Pf but the zambian people.
chimuka Twambo - March 16, 2013
19:02
I am very disappointed with the speaker of national assembly, how he conducted himself during debate why allowing the debate which had only pf mps..the country has lost direction becoz of politics of hatred.
faston mwanza - March 16, 2013
18:30
Thats true ba lawyer
Manson - March 16, 2013
17:40
rmoving RB imunity z nt of nation interst.da govmt shud focus on devlopmnt nt wasting monis on usles mats as dis imunity thing.if dey wnt to do so dey mst strt wth RBS son whr dey av faild 2 fnd any wrng doing. GORVMT THNK TWICE.
MARSH - March 16, 2013
16:46
that lawyer should be happy coz it more money in his pockets becoz RB has stolen alot of money for legal fee lawyers more money in your pockets
rodrick - March 16, 2013
16:07
bakalyamo abena sakwiba
mukuta - March 16, 2013
18:02
and so will mutembo and nchima nchito. and also ka fred membe who did nite sku at unza. so this is the reason why they were pushing for removal sothat they raise the 14billion.
chichi - March 16, 2013
19:30
The speaker is a well known paid gun if he has a priest or pastor he must go for confession otherwise he has failed the test at law or spiritually. He is morally bankcrupt and an agent of evil, and the devil himself.
Mzee Hekima - March 16, 2013
15:55
please execute rb quickly to make a precedence for sata. sata will also be executed at a market for all to see. true zambian’s must now rise to kill pf supporters. abash satanists.
T.B. Joshua - March 16, 2013
15:20
Sata’s body must be treated like Mussolini’s body because it has no value just like the blood of pigs.
Southern watchman - March 16, 2013
17:08
You clearly haven’t heard of black pudding!!
Moses - March 17, 2013
02:21