Drug-busting chief arrested
29/11/2007 11:51  - (SA)  

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Lusaka - The head of Zambia's powerful drug-busting unit has been arrested and charged with stealing public funds and abuse of office for allegedly pocketing money confiscated from culprits, says an official.

Ryan Chitoba, 53, was arrested on Wednesday by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which had been investigating him for the past six months, ACC spokesperson Timothy Moono said in a statement.

"The ACC has arrested Chitoba on charges of theft of public funds," said Moono.

President Levy Mwanawasa suspended Chitoba from his post three months ago to allow for investigations into the allegations of corruption.

Chitoba, head of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), had been jointly charged with his deputy Jacob Koyi and another officer Charles Nduluma, said Moono.

The trio were alleged to have made huge withdrawals of funds for a DEC forfeiture account, where funds confiscated from drug traffickers and money launderers was banked for safekeeping, Moono said.

Chitoba and his co-accused had been released on bail pending court appearances.

"The agency investigating these matters rushed to the press even before they could talk to me. That was not only malicious but highly unprofessional," said Chitoba in a statement released after his arrest.

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