We’re coming back stronger – bailed Miles
By George Zulu
A LUSAKA magistrates court yesterday granted Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa a K1 million bail.
This is after Sampa, Patriotic Front (PF) deputy secretary general, pleaded not guilty to unauthorised use of a computer system contrary to the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act.
The charge arises from his recent allegation that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had established a fake polling station in Chawama on Lilayi Road to rig the parliamentary by-election that took place there.
Lusaka resident magistrate Webster Milumbe granted bail of K1 million in Sampa’s own recognisance with two sureties each bound in the same amount.
He was arrested on the basis that he transmitted false information in which he claimed that ECZ had opened a fake polling station, but apologised for the utterances.
His arrest followed a complaint by ECZ corporate affairs officer Raphael Phiri.
Sampa’s lawyer Charles Changano applied for bail pending trial in line with section 123 of the Criminal Procedure Code on the basis that his client is not a flight risk and that the offence is bailable.
Later, Sampa was whisked away by police officers as he waited to meet the bail’s conditions.
He had fallen out of favour with the governing United Party for National Development (UPND) after enjoying a close relationship with the administration.
Sampa lifted a fist, the PF’s symbol, as he jumped into a police vehicle, while officers were ordering him to sit down before they drove away.
“We are coming back stronger than ever before,” he was heard telling supporters at the court.
