Court dismisses Esther Lungu’s appeal

By Hannock Kasama

Former First Lady, Esther Lungu, has had her application dismissed, in which she wanted to stay the execution of the forfeiture of her properties, deemed to be proceeds of crime.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has ruled that Mrs. Lungu has not satisfied the requirements to be granted the stay of execution.

The court has further ruled that Mrs. Lungu’s appeal filed in the Court of Appeal has no prospects of success.

The court has incidentally, pursuant to Order 16 Rule 10 of the High Court, declined to grant Mrs. Lungu an application for the stay of execution.

The ruling has been rendered by Judges Pixxie Yangailo, Ian Mabolobolo, and Vincent Siloka.

In September 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Court ordered the forfeiture of Mrs. Lungu’s 15 flats located in Lusaka’s State Lodge, deemed to be proceeds of crime.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, Mrs. Lungu appealed to the Court of Appeal.

She eventually beseeched the Economic and Financial Crimes Court to grant her the stay of execution of the forfeiture of her properties deemed to be proceeds of crime.

Mrs. Lungu sought the order of stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of her appeal in the Court of Appeal.