Zambia – Former President Edgar Lungu is embroiled in fresh corruption charges, accused of abusing his office.

Lungu is said to had pressured the Zambia Army Commander, Lieutenant General Paul Mihova, to release a land title for a secretariat for the then-ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party.

Boston Nzhibwe, a police chief inspector, testified that Lungu summoned Mihova to State House after Commissioner of Lands Wilfred Muma reported the army chief’s refusal to hand over the certificate of title.

“Soon after the rejection, [General Mihova] was called to State House by the President,” Nzhibwe stated.
The controversial plot of land has become the centerpiece of a case that underscores broader allegations of corruption during Lungu’s tenure.

Muma, who was removed as a High Court judge in July, is also facing charges of abuse of authority and willful failure to comply with legal procedures in connection with the case.

Lungu’s presidency, from 2015 to 2021, was marked by allegations of corruption, economic mismanagement, and an erosion of democratic norms.

Despite his initial rise as a unifying figure, Lungu’s administration became increasingly authoritarian, stifling dissent and clamping down on opposition.

His 2021 defeat to Hakainde Hichilema in a historic election was fueled by widespread frustration over rampant corruption and economic hardships, including mounting national debt and a depreciating currency.

Lungu’s controversial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and accusations of using state resources to bolster his re-election bid further alienated Zambians.

Since leaving office, Lungu has faced multiple investigations, with authorities targeting his inner circle and allies for alleged graft.

The latest charges suggest that the former president’s legal troubles are far from over, and his legacy continues to be overshadowed by claims of corruption and abuse of power.