FORMER Solwezi magistrate Henry Aongola and his co-accused Clifford Hamilandu have been found with a case to answer in a matter in which they are accused of receiving K5,000 as gratification.
The two have since been put on their defence.
The court has, however, acquitted Aongola in the second count of failing to declare interest in a court matter.
Kabwe Principal Resident Magistrate John Mbuzi sitting in Solwezi found Aongola and Hamilandu, a Social Welfare officer with a case to answer and put the duo on their defence.
In the second count, Mr Mbuzi said the State failed to establish a prima facie case against Aongola and therefore acquitted him.
It is alleged that between April 1, 2011 and April 30 2011, Aongola and Hamilandu as public officers corruptly received K5, 000 cash gratification from Joyce Nshindo as an inducement or reward in order to prevent the course of justice against Justin Kaseya.
In the second count, it is alleged that between April1 2011 and April 30 2011, Mr Aongola presided over a matter of the people versus Justin Kaseya without declaring interest.
Aongola should have declared interest the moment he was allocated the case for reasons that prior to his action on the matter, he had interactions with Mr Kaseya’s mother.
The two are being represented by Kelvin Msoni from J.B Sakala and company of Ndola while Don Chiwala is representing the State.
The State said it would appeal against Aongola’s acquittal in the second count.
Defence in count one opens today.-ZANIS