Anti-graft body summons Chiluba

2008-03-25 12:48

Lusaka - Zambia's former president Frederick Chiluba has been summoned to appear on Thursday before a special unit investigating corruption that took place under his government, his aide says.

Chiluba received the summons at his residence in Lusaka on Tuesday, a day after he returned from South Africa where he underwent treatment for a cardiac complication, Emmanuel Mwamba said.

"The call-out (summons) did not disclose the reasons. He is wanted on Thursday," Mwamba said.

Chiluba, who was already facing several graft charges before a magistrate court, was accused of having stolen huge sums of public funds together with his close aides and officials during his 10-year rule.

The ex-leader had denied the charges, saying his arrest was politically-motivated by his hand-picked successor President Levy Mwanawasa.

Chiluba ruled Zambia from 1991 to 2001 when he retired from politics after serving the constitutionally-allowed two terms of five years each.

A Zambian magistrate court ruled last month that Chiluba, 65, should face a corruption trial in May.

Chiluba and two businessmen co-defendants were facing charges of theft of about $500 000 in state funds.

- AFP