AG dismisses Lutepo’s claims
Attorney General (AG) Kalekeni Kaphale says he has found no evidence to support claims made by businessperson and Cashgate suspect-cum-witness Oswald Lutepo against prosecuting authorities.
Lutepo, a former executive member of the then governing People’s Party (PP) of Joyce Banda, last week wrote the AG’s office asking for an investigation into what he said was professional misconduct and abuse of office by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Bruno Kalemba, former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Fahad Assani and hired prosecutor Kamudoni Nyasulu for allegedly forcing him to write witness and caution statements to implicate private practice lawyers Ralph Kasambara and Wapona Kita in the Cashgate cases.
In an interview yesterday, Kaphale said he doubts the veracity of the allegations by Lutepo, but has nonetheless asked for more clarification and pointers to the claims.
Said Kaphale: “When the claims were made, I wrote to the people [Kalemba and Nyasulu] to explain their part. I looked into the claims and did some investigations and found that there was no substance in what he [Lutepo] was saying.
“Since we do not know where he lives, we have written to him and sent the response by post. He should be getting it any time soon. Meanwhile, the case is still continuing, including the recent one on perjury.”
He said Lutepo needs to prove this because what he claims to have lied under oath was done voluntarily and the statements were his.
In his letter, Lutepo also asked the AG to assist in withdrawing all caution and witness statements that he made as they were obtained under duress and testifying to them would cause him to commit perjury.
But Kaphale said he has no powers to retract the statements.
Said the AG: “Every case on Mr. Lutepo is going ahead, in fact you should be hearing of the prosecution date very soon. In the letter Mr. Lutepo is not saying anything as regards to the charges against him. He has just concentrated on his allegations.”
In a telephone interview yesterday, Lutepo said he was yet to get the response as he was travelling to Blantyre for further diagnosis.
He said: “I have not yet received anything from the Attorney General office, maybe it’s because I have not been feeling very well. I am on my way to Blantyre for further diagnosis and will respond to the contents of the letter in due course.”
Police arrested Lutepo in Kasungu on Sunday and charged him with perjury. He has since been released on bail.
Lutepo came into the limelight when he was charged with various counts, including theft and money laundering of government funds amounting to K2.6 billion.
In view of the gravity of Lutepo’s claims, lawyer Justin Dzonzi recently said prosecution of Cashgate cases had been thrown into disrepute; hence, the need for a thorough investigation.
