Lawyers representing four suspects accused of murdering Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Director General Guntila Muleya have sought to block a banker from testifying in the ongoing trial.
The State called Kamwenje Kayang’a, a Service Coordinator at ZANACO’s Lusaka Central Branch, to testify following evidence from two IBA witnesses.
The witnesses earlier told the court about suspicious financial transactions at the Authority allegedly authorised by one of the accused, Francis Chipyoka, together with IBA employee Peter Hambiya, a day after Mr. Muleya was murdered.
However, defence lawyer Chawezi Ngoma argued that the banker cannot testify in the absence of a court order granted on special cause.
He cited the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, Chapter 44 of the Laws of Zambia, stating that without such an order, the witness’s testimony relating to bankers’ books is legally incompetent.
Another defence lawyer, Friday Mulenga Jr., submitted that the prosecution has a clear legal pathway to apply to the court, demonstrate special cause, and obtain an order authorising the banker’s attendance or production of records.
In response, the State asked the court for more time to study the provisions cited by the defence and file its response by February 12, 2026.
The defence is expected to respond by February 17, 2026.
The court will rule on the matter on February 23, 2026.
By Darius Choonya
