JAY BANDA granted preliminary Inquiry

By Christopher Miti/Hannock Kasama

The Chipata Magistrates’ Court has granted Petauke Central Member of Parliament EMMANUEL BANDA a new application to conduct a preliminary inquiry into his attempted murder and aggravated robbery charges.

Chipata Principal Resident magistrate BONIFACE MWALA has made the ruling this morning following a new application filed by defence lawyer DAVID BANDA of JMP and Associates.

Magistrate MWALA had adjourned the matter to Friday for the commencement of the preliminary inquiry into Mr. BANDA’s, attempted murder and aggravated robbery charges.

A preliminary inquiry is a judicial hearing in serious criminal cases to determine whether the evidence against an accused person is sufficient to proceed for trial.

Mr. BANDA is alleged to have attacked a journalist PETER SUKWA on December 14, 2015 in Vubwi District and robbed him of a camera, valued at 10, 000 kwacha, spectacles valued at 1, 800 kwacha, two ATM cards, voice recorder and cash amounting to 200 kwacha.

All the stolen items are valued at 13, 000 kwacha.