The trial of Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi has been delayed after she failed to appear in court on Tuesday due to a reported terminal illness.
Nawakwi, 63, is facing two counts of seditious practices and had previously been ordered to present her defense after being found with a case to answer last November.
It is alleged that the seditious remarks were made between May 25 and May 28, 2024, in Lusaka.
According to the prosecution, Nawakwi called on citizens to hold President Hakainde Hichilema accountable for the alleged abduction of Jay Jay Banda. She reportedly stated:
“I want to call upon every citizen of this Republic. Every Zambian, every person of goodwill to actually call Hakainde to account on the abduction of Jay Jay Banda… We are not going to live in a country like that of Idi Amin. We are not going to live in a country like the one we’ve left behind. When you wake up one night and find my brother Wezi is murdered, you can’t continue bemoaning everything and getting yourself involved in the disappearance of Zambians.”
However, when the matter came before Senior Magistrate Irene Wishimanga on Tuesday, Nawakwi was absent.
Her surety, Mkushi South Member of Parliament Davies Chisopa, informed the court that she remained unwell.
“Your Honor, the accused is still terminally ill as of this morning. She is at home,” Chisopa stated.
Magistrate Wishimanga then inquired about the way forward, to which the defense sought the court’s guidance.
The matter has been adjourned to February 13, 19, 20, and 21 for further proceedings.
