I did not deserve sentence—Lutepo

Cashgate convict Osward Lutepo yesterday lambasted judge Redson Kapindu and the State after the High Court in Zomba handed him 11 years custodial sentence for money laundering and conspiracy to defraud government.

Speaking to the media just before being taken to prison to begin serving his sentence, Lutepo said he did not receive a fair sentence because the judge was emotional and took it personal.

The businessperson-cum-politician also said he would consider appealing because he felt short-changed by the State which, throughout his trial, only portrayed his destructive part without taking into account his positive contribution towards the case.

He said the State only showed that it was desperate to represent to the world that it was making progress when in fact it wanted to victimise a few individuals.

“There has been a lot of foul play just because the State wanted to exaggerate the outcome of the case which has actually worked to their advantage.

“In this case, it shows that a few of us are going to pay for the sins of many. The outcome of the case portrays me as the worst sinner and yet I was only used as a conduit,” said Lutepo, who looked calm throughout the two hours and 13 minutes judge Kapindu read his judgement.

He said the State’s presentation of the case and the negative publicity by the media on him also influenced the judge to come up with the punishment for fear of retribution by the public.

“In the presentation of their case, the prosecution said even the judge was also a victim of Cashgate. So, if he is being emotional and taking things personal that he is a victim of the circumstances, how do I get justice?” queried a charged Lutepo.

Lutepo, who stated he did not regret pleading guilty to the charge, wondered that instead of appreciating that he pleaded guilty after the charge sheet was amended, the judge made himself a victim.

The former People’s Party (PP) senior official said the outcome of the case will not encourage accused people to cooperate with the State as an incentive to get off lightly.

He said: “Justice is about balancing up both things, but the judge only looked at the plight of the citizenry in general, but he has not considered my plight and those who depend on me. Otherwise, justice is about seeing that the past, present and future are all reconciled in the right manner.”

In his sentencing, Judge Kapindu said Section 323 of the Penal Code stipulates that money laundering attracts a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment while conspiracy to defraud government attracts a jail term of three years, but he gave Lutepo eight years on the first count because of, among others, his cooperation with the court and the restitution of his Woget Industries valued at K370 million.

Lutepo was convicted on his own plea of guilty on charges of conspiracy to defraud government and money laundering of K4.7 billion between April and September 2013.