The Anti-Corruption Commission v Stardy Mwale and Ors (2022/HPEF/13) [2024] ZMHC 294 (31 October 2024)

IN THE HIGH COURT FQR-ZAMIUA~~- AT THE ECONOMIC AND .... J..!~flJ.l;i(iC.oi lAMBiA - 11~~~-~ ... ~ ZAMBIA CRIMES COURT ~CONOMIC & F/NN\lt.lAL Cf\lMEG DIVISION HOLDEN AT LUSAKA tff r--:=-3; ;,,::-;:,],rh -~ I LL. L~-1 ~ (Civil Jurisdiction) ~ ~ EG!~ ;- ~ 022/HPEF/13 IN THE MATTER OF: SECti'o~ §', Lu~ 31 OF THE ru,e. EDS OF CRIME FORFEIT~ ACT NO. 19 OF 2010 IN THE MATTER OF:SECTION {l) OF THE ANTI IN RE PROPERTY: BETWEEN: CORRUPTION ACT NO. 3 OF 2021. SIMONGA FARM NO. 132a, CHIKANKATA THE PROVINCE SOUTHERN REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA OF ANTI- CORRUPTION COMMISSION APPLIC:!ANT AND STARDY MWALE 1 sT INTERESTED PARTY MICHEAL WILLIAM ARNOLD 2ND INTERESTEDPARTY SUSAN CAROLYN ARNOLD 3RDINTERESTED PARTY SIMONGA FARM LIMITED 4TH INTERESTED PARTY STARDY MWALE GROUP 5TH INTERESTED PARTY TRENDS STATIONERS AND 6TH INTERESTED PARTY BUSINESS MACHINES BEFORE THE HONOURABLE JUSTICES S. M. WANJELANI, I. M. MABBOLOBBOLO AND S. V. SILOKA ON THE 31ST DAY OF OCTOBER, 2024. For the Applicant: Ms. G. M. Muyunda, Assistan t Legal-Anti-Corruption Director Commission For the 1st, 5th & 6 th Interested Parties: Mr. J. Tembo, Messrs Linus Eya & Partners Mr. L. Lemba, Mulungushi Chambers Pagel of J91 ., For the z,td, 3 rd & 4 th Interested Parties: Mr. L. K. Phiri and Ms. C. Z. Mwansa, Messrs KBF & Partners JUDGMENT MABBOLOBBOLO, I. M. J, DELIVERED THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT A. CASES REFERRED TO: 1. Various Items of Personal Properly v United States (1931)282. us 577 2. Kumarnath Mohunram & Shelgate Investments Cc v The National Director of Public Prosecutions, BOE Bank Limited and The Law Review Project {As Amicus Curiae)l 9/06/2007] ZAAC 3. National Director of Public Prosecutions v RO Cook Properlies (PVY)LTD 2004 (8) BCLR 844(SCA) 4. Ethics and Anti - Corruption v Patrick Ochieno Abachi & 6 Others (2021) EKLR 5. Nkobi Holdings (PTY) Limited & Another v The State CCT86/ 66/ 20081 6. Johaness Kenneth Siogopi (Tl A Nam Transport, Co A Partnership) v Director of Public Prosecutions Appeal 196 of(2020) ZMCA 45 7. Ventriglia and Manuela Sebastain Ventriglia v The People Appeal No 37 OF2015 8. BJ Poultry Farms Ltd v Nutrifeeds Zambia Limited Appeal No.166 of 2015 9. Khalid Mohammed v The Attorney (1982) Z. R. 49 (S. C) 10. Zulu v Avondale Housing Project Limited Judgment No.31of 1982 11. Anti-Corruption Commission v Barnett Development Corporation Limited Appeal No. 10 of 2016 12. Rapid Global Freight Limited v Zambia Railways Appeal No.2016/ 2019 13. Nachanga Transport, v The Director of Public Prosecutions CAZ Appeal 25 of 2020 14. Mpangwe Farms Limited and Others v The Attorney General 2004/HP/0010 Page 2 of J91 15. Zambia Revenue Authority v Felimart Investments 2020/ HPA/ 0022 16. Shuko Willie Chungu v Hilda Mwanza & 2 Others (2022/ HPH/ 053 17. KACC v James Mwathethe Mulewa & Another (201 9) KEHC 3325 (KLR) 18. Assets Recovery Agency v Joseph Wanjohi & Others. 19. Stanley Mombe Amuti v Kenya Anti-Corruption (2019) eklR 20. Director of Public Prosecution v Dhiraj Dhumphuth 2020/HP/ 1287 21. U Rest Foams Limited v Puma Botswana PTY Limited & Another) Appeal No.222 of 2016 22. The People No.291/2014 v Austin Chisangu Liato, Appeal 23. DPP v In Re Properties, Chiyeso Lungu, 2020/HPEF/26 24. OTK Limited v Amanita Zambiana Limited, Diego Gan Mana Casilli. Amanita Premum Oils Ltd 2005 (HPC/0199 (2011) 25. Kenneth Madungwe and Royd Kabwe Kashimoto v Albatros Mining (2019/HP/0763) (2019)ZMHC2 B. LEGISLATION REFERRED TO: 1. The Constitution ofZambia Chapter 1 of the Laws ofZambia 2. The High Court Act Chapter 27 of the Laws of Zambia 3. The Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No.19 of 20210 4. The Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 of the Laws of Zambia 5. The Evidence Act Chapter 43 of the Laws of Zambia 6. The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act No. 4 of 2021 of the Laws of Zambia 7. The Lands Acquisition Act No. 189 of the Laws of Zambia 1.0. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1.1. This is the Judgment in an Application for a Non Conviction Based Forfeiture Order that was filed pursuant to Sections 29 and 31 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 and Section 19 (1) of the Anti - Corruption Commission Act No. 3 of2012 as read together with Order Page 3 of J91 30 Rule 15 and 17 of the High Court Act Chapter 27 of the Laws of Zambia. 1.2. The Application filed on 3 rd October, 2022, was accompanied by an Affidavit and Skeleton Arguments. 1.3. The Application was opposed by the 2 nd, 3rd and 4th Interested Parties who filed their Affidavit in Opposition and Skeleton Arguments on 1st February, 2023. 1.4. On 7 th February, 2023, the 1st Interested Party also filed his Affidavit 1n Opposition with accompanying Skeleton Arguments. 1.5. Along the way, the Advocates for the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th Interested Parties, stopped making appearances even when Notices were sent out and consequently the Matter proceeded without them. 1.6. When the Matter came up on 2 nd February, 2024, Mr. L. C. Lemba informed the Court that the 1st Interested Party had been in discussion with the Applicant on the observations made regarding certain Paragraphs in the Affidavit in Support of the Application and that the Parties had agreed to proceed by way of Consent. Ms. Chip an ta on behalf of the Applicant confirmed that position. By Consent of the Applicant and the 1st Interested Party which Consent was duly endorsed by Court on 3 rd April, 2024, the Parties agreed that the: 1.6.1. Applicant be allowed to amend the offending Paragraphs in the Affidavit in Support of the Page 4 of J91 ., Originating Notice of Motion filed on 3 rd October, 2022, and that the same be filed by 9 th April, 2024. 1.6.2. Interested Parties be allowed to file Affidavit in Opposition to the Amended Affidavit in Support of the Originating Notice of Motion by 16th April, 2024. 1.6.3. Applicant be at liberty to file Reply by 20th April, 2024, and that; 1.6.4. Matter comes up for hearing on 21 st May, 2024. 2.0. AFFIDAVIT EVIDENCE 2 .1. The Amended Affidavit in Support of the Originating Notice was sworn and filed on 9 th April, 2024 by Clement Chipasha, an Investigations Officer in the employ of the Applicant and the case Office in the Matter. 2.2. The genesis of the Affidavit is that on 1st April, 2019, the Applicant received a Complaint as may be gleaned from Exhibit marked 'CC 1' of alleged possession of unexplained property against the 1st Interested Party, then a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, in the manner he purchased Simonga Farm No. 132a (the Farm) located in Chikankata, Mazabuka of Southern Province of Zambia at a cost ofUSD 2.5. Million. That consequently a team of Officers including himself were assigned to the case. 2.3. Mr. Chipasha averred that he did investigate the case and his period of interest was between the years 2016 and 2019 around which time the 1st Interested Party purchased the Page 5 of J91 Farm using both cash and Bank Transfer payments to the 2 n d and 3 rd Interested Parties. 2.4 According to the Deponent, his investigations established that on 11 th August, 2018, the 2 nd and 3 rd Interested Parties being Shareholders of the 4 th Interested Party by Letter marked 'CC2' offered the 6 th Interested Party to purchase Sub 1 of Farm 132a in Southern Province at a value of USD 3, 000 (ZMW 3,000,000) and that this offer was accepted by the 1st Interested Party. 2.5. The Deponent stated that in the course of his investigations, he also discovered that a Contract of Sale marked "CC3a-c" was also executed on the same day when the Offer was made and the contract sum for the sale of Subl of Farm 132a in Southern Province was USD3,000 (ZMW3,000.000). 2.6. That upon perusal of the Contract of Sale, he discovered that Parties to the same were the 4 th and 5 th Interested Parties though the 2 nd Interested Party signed as the vendor in his capacity as Managing Director/ owner while the 3 rd Interested Party witnessed the said Contract in her capacity as Director /Secretary. Further that on the other part, the 1st Interested Party executed the Contract as purchaser for and on behalf of the 5 th Interested Party trading as the 6 th Interested Party and it was witnessed by Mr. Zulu the Sales Manager despite the other Party to the said Contract being the 5 th Interested Party. 2.7. It was the Deponent's averment that he conducted a search at the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) Page 6 of J91 and established that the 4 th Interested Party is a Company which was incorporated on 1st October, 1979, in Zambia whose nature of business is mixed farming as can be seen from the Certificate of Incorporation marked "CC4". That upon perusal of the (PACRA) printout, marked "CCSa-b" the Deponent established that the majority Shareholder in the 4 th Interested Party is the 2 nd Interested Party with 3333333 ordinary shares with Sak.et Talwar as Secretary. That the search further established that the 1st Interested Party is the sole Shareholder of the 6 th Interested Party, a Company incorporated and registered in Zambia. 2.8. A related deposition is that the search conducted at PACRA referred to in the preceding Paragraphs also established that there was no Company registered under the 5th Interested Party's name, despite the Contract of Sale in the Parties' clause reflecting the Parties as being the 4th Interested Party of the one part and the 5 th Interested Party of the other part. 2. 9. It was deponed that his investigations further established that despite the 1st Interested Party having purchased Sub 1 of Farm 132a in Southern Province on 11 th August, 2018, and ownership of Title has not passed to the 1st Interested Party as may be gleaned from the copy of the Certificate of Title marked "CC6". That upon further perusal, the Deponent discovered that the extent of the land as per Certificate of Title for Farm No. 132a is 1227.1673 hectares while the Contract of Sale indicated that what was being sold to the 1st Interested Page 7 of J91 Party was Subl of Farm 132a which is in extent of 170.0915 hectares. 2.10. According to the Deponent, he then went to conduct a search at the Ministry of Lands and upon perusal of the Lands Register, he discovered from the Lands Print Out marked "CC7" that it does not indicate anyv.rhere that the 1st, 5 th, or 6 th Interested Parties are intended purchasers of Farm No. 132a in Southern Province or any of its Subdivisions. That in the company of Mr. Ferguson Kombe, the Deponent then went to conduct a physical Inspection of Farm No. 132a in Southern Province and subsequently produced an Inspection Report dated 16th September, 2020, and marked "CCS". Further that he consequently recommended that Farm No. 132a Southern Province be valued by the Government Valuation Department and, accordingly it was valued at ZMW 29,475,000 as indicated in the Government Valuation Report marked "CC9". 2.11. It is the Deponent's further averment that he conducted a search at First National Bank (FNB) Mazabuka Branch where he was informed by Vincent Tembo, the then Relationship Manager, that the 4th Interested Party held a Kwacha Account No. 62340113232 and a Dollar Account No. 62472697196 as indicated in the copies of Kwacha and Dollar Bank Statements marked "CClO a-d". That the search also revealed that the signatories to the Dollar and Kwacha Accounts for the 4 th Interested Party were the 2 nd and 3 rd Interested Parties and that on 25th August, 2018, there was Page 8 of J91 a Board Resolution to allow the 1st Interested Party to be added as a signatory on the 4th Interested Party's FNB Bank Accounts as shown in the FNB Account Mandate and Board Resolution marked "CCl 1 a-d". Further that the Deponent's investigations established that on 28th August, 2018, Mr. Vincent Tembo, the Relationship Manager for FNB Mazabuka Branch, received an instruction from the 4 th Interested Party's Board of Directors to include the 1st Interested Party as a signatory to the said Farm Accounts as per Board Resolution. 2.12. The Deponent averred that he further conducted a search at First Capital Bank where he established that the 1st and 6 th Interested Parties maintained personal and Company Accounts respectively as shown in copies of Bank Statements marked "CC12a -b". 2. 13. According to the Deponent, he further established that the 1st Interested Party was employed as Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defence between December 2016 to early 2020. That his investigations also established that prior to the execution of the Contract of Sale for Sub 1 of Farm 132a, the Government of the Republic of Zambia acting throu gh the Ministry of Defence (MoD), entered into a Contract with African Security Academy (ASA) on 18TH July, 2016 for the supply and delivery of uniforms to the Zambia National Service for a Contract sum of USD 47,197,129.00, as maybe gleaned from exhibit marked "CC13". Page 9 of J91 I . 2.14. That the Deponent conducted another search at PACRA where he established that ASA is a Polish Company, with a Zambian representative company registered with PACRA as African Security Academy Limited and that the shareholding for the Zambian representative company is 7000 held by Dariusz Prigan, a Polish national and 3000 held by Savenda Academy of Excellency Limited as shown in the PACRA print out marked "CC 14". Further that the search conducted also revealed that Savenda Academy of Excellency had Mr. Clever Siame Mpoha, a Zambian National as one of its Directors as indicated in the PACRA print out marked "CC15". 2 .15. It was averred that the Deponen t's investigation also established that prior to the said Contract for the supply and delivery of uniforms between MoD and ASA, ASA had entered into a Service Agreement with Savenda Management Service which entitled Mr. Mpoha 50% of the funds emanating from ASA Contracts secured in Zambia. That the search conducted by the Deponent at PACRA also revealed that Savenda Management Services also had Mr. Clever Siame Mpoha, a Zambian national as one of its Directors as shown in the PACRA Print Out marked "CC 17". 2.16. According to the Deponent, he established further that on 12th August, 2016, the Government through the Ministry of Finance (MoF) subsequently entered into a Supplier Credit Agreement marked "CC 18" with ASA for financing of the contract of the supply and delivery of uniforms at a cost of USD 47,197,120. That on perusal of the said Agreement, the Page 10 of J91 Deponent discovered that the Government of the Republic of Zambia, was required to make an upfront payment to ASA as Arrangement Fees of USD 353,978.40, Management fees of USD 471,971.20 and Insurance Premium of USD 849,548.16 aggregating USD 1, 675, 497,76. 2.17 . According to the Deponent, his investigations revealed that on 6 th September, 2017, the 1st Interested Party was engaged in his capacity as Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Defence MoD by ASA to facilitate the securing of a payment amounting to USD 1, 675, 494.76 which was owed to ASA by Ministry of Finance (MoF), as shown in the copy of a Letter marked "CC19". That further the Deponent's investigations established that the 1st Interested Party subsequently wrote a Letter marked "CC20a-b" to the Secretary to the Treasury on 7 th September, 2017, as Permanent Secretary and submitted a copy of the invoice relating to the said payment as Management and Insurance Fees claimed by ASA and requesting facilitation of the financing of the purchases. 2.18. The Deponent averred that his investigations revealed that on 1st November, 2017, Ministry of Finance MoF made a transfer of USD 1, 675, 497.76 from its Account No. 001100370149 to ASA Poland of Account No. 57160014621833279 20000002 held at BGZBNPPARIBAS S . A as payment of facility fees as shown in proof of payment marked "CC21". That the Deponent's investigations established that despite the payment of USD 1, 675, 497.76 being paid to ASA on 1st November, 2017, no evidence had been found to suggest that Page 11 of J91 the Secretary to the Treasury approved this expenditure in accordance with the Law and that procedure was followed in the manner the payment was processed as the money was not budgeted for nor was the Credit Supplier Agreement entered in the Debt Management Financial Analysis System at MoF. 2 .19. Deponing further, it was averred that the Deponent established that on 8 th November, 2017, Eagle Trading International Limited received USD 527, 448.88 with the narration African Security Academy SPZOOLILZECKA 263 /P invoice SMS O 12-2017. That further investigations established that this was less 50% claim from payment received from MoF as Arrangement Fee, Management Fee and Insurance fee according to the Bank Statement marked "CC22" for the supply Credit Agreement dated 12th August, 2016. 2.20. The Deponent averred that his investigations also established that on 4 th April, 2018, Eagle Trading International invoiced (SMS 012- 2017B) ASA Poland USD 837, 748.88 with the narration being 50% claim from payment received from MoF as Arrangement Fee and Insurance Fee, for the Supply Credit Agreement dated 12 August, 2016. That it was further observed that Eagle Trading International indicated that the amount could be paid to its Standard Chartered Dollar Account No. 8700260963000 with Swift Code: SCBIZMLX, Bank Sort Code: 060017 as shown in the Invoice marked "CC23". Page 12 of J91 2.21. According to the Deponent, his analysis of the Bank Statement of Eagle Trading ("CC22") and the Invoice from Eagle Trading to ASA showed that the payment of USD 527, 448.88 made to Eagle Trading was paid before the company issued an invoice. That the invoice was issued on 4 th April, 2018 and yet the payment was made on 8 th of November, 2017. Further that the Deponent's analysis above also showed that the Invoice number for the payment of USD 527, 448.00 was the same as the Invoice number of USD 837, 748.88. 2.22. According to the Deponent, his search at PACRA revealed that Eagle International Trading is a Zambian Registered Company whose nature of business includes transportation support activities, mining, retail sales and support services for other mining activities in which Clever Mpoha is a Director and Majority shareholder and Esther Chanda is the other Director as shown in the PACRA print out marked "CC24". 2.23 . Further that the Deponent's investigations also revealed that Eagle International Trading holds a Dollar Account No. 8700260963000 with Standard Chartered Bank domiciled at Central Mall Branch, Lusaka as shown in the Bank Statement marked "CC25". That his investigations also revealed that on 18th April, 2018, Mr. Mpoha effected a transfer of USD 200,000 from Eagle Trading International Limited Account No. 87002693000 to the 4 th Interested Party's Account number 634 72697196 held at FNB with the narration 'Farm Equipment' as shown in the Bank transfer Page 13 of J91 I . and Bank Statement marked "CC26a-b". That this was prior to the execution of the Contract of Sale from Simonga Farm being Sub 1 of 132a Southern Province between the 4th and 5th Interested Parties. 2.24. According to the Deponent, his analysis of the Bank Statement above reveals that the sum of USD 200,000.00, was transferred but USD 35 was deducted by the Bank as sending fee hence only USD 199,965.00, was received in the 4 th Interested Party's Account Number 624 72697196 held at FNB as shown in the proof of payment marked "CC27". 2.25 . The Deponent averred that he in the company of other Officers, further conducted a search at Eagle Trading International Limited where one of the Officers from the Applicant by the name of Moonga Shamwiinga collected the phone belonging to Mr. Mpoha and later took screenshots of conversations marked "CC28a-j" between the 1st Interested Party and Mr. Clever Mpoha from the said phone which showed that the 1st Interested Party was asking for help to settle part payment towards the purchase of Simonga Farm. That the Deponent then analyzed the said screen shots and discovered that the 1st Interested Party and Mr. Clever Mpoha had these conversations way before USD 200,000.00, was made by Eagle Trading International Limited to the 4 th Interested Party. 2.26. A related averment 1s that the Deponent witnessed the recording of the Warn and Caution Statement by Mr. Ferguson Kombe from the 1st Interested Party. That the 1st Page 14 of J91 Interested Party upon being shown the screenshots confirmed that Mr. Clever Mpoha helped him to settle part of the payment of the purchase of Simonga Farm on 18th April, 2018, by transferring a USD 200,000.00 from Eagle Trading International of Account No. 8700260963000 to the Simonga Farm Dollar Account No. 62472697196 as shown in the certified true copy of the typed and handwritten Warn and Caution Statement dated 10th November, 2020, marked "CC29". 2.27. It was averred that the Deponent was informed by Mrs. Mkosi Munalula Shikaputo, the Branch Manager for Cavmont Kalingalinga Branch, that on 28th September, 2018, she received a Loan and Overdraft Application form marked "CC30" from the 1st Interested Party amounting to ZMW 2,000.000 and ZMW 400,000 meant for the purchase of Simonga Farm being Sub 1 of 132a Southern Province and working capital for a period of two (2) years and 12 months respectively. 2.28. A follow up averment is that the Branch Manager for Cavmont Kalingalinga Branch also advised the Deponent that the 1st Interested Party provided an Evaluation Report for his Property Plot No. 18 of Block 24, off Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Road as security, Audited Cash Flow Projections, Contract of Sale relating to the sale of Simonga Farm being Sub 1 of 132a between the 4 th Interested Party and the 5 th Interested Party and an accompanying Certificate of Title for Simonga Farm No. 132a. Further that the Branch Manager Page 15 of J91 advised the Deponent that the Bank declined the Laon application based on the fact that the 1st Interested Party had not provided the financial statements for the Simonga Farm to help the Bank assess the client's repayment ability. 2.29. According to the Deponent, his investigations also established that on 13th October, 2017, the 1st Interested Party made payment of ZMW 2,500,000 which he remitted from his Account held at First Capital Bank to the 4 th Interested Party's Account held at First National Bank for purposes of purchasing the Farm and that again this was before the Contract of Sale for Simonga Farm was executed as shown in the bank transfer and a proof of payment marked "CC3 l a-b". 2.30. Deponing further, it was stated that the Deponent interviewed a Mr. Regis Mada who was the Farm Manager for Simonga Farm in early 2015, he found two trucks (a Mercedes Benz and a blue Toyota Dyna), white Mahindra van and one green John Deere Tractor, one Bailing Machine, two Grinding Mills, one Feed Mixer, a Disc Harrow, a Boom Sprayer and a Roller and confirmed that all the vehicles were operational by then including the two Grinding Mills. 2.31. It was averred that the Deponent's investigations also revealed that while the Contract of Sale for Sub 1 of 132a was quoted at ZMW 3, 000,000, what was paid towards the purchase of the Farm is USD 200,000 (ZMW 2,000.000.00) and K.2.5 Million thus exceeding the said contractual sum. Page 16 of J91 2.32. The Deponent averred that he has reasonable suspicion that although the Contract of Sale was for Sub 1 of 132a, the said contract was only generated for purposes of obtaining a loan from the Bank which unfortunately was declined. That however, the agreement between the parties, although no Contract of Sale was found during his investigations, was for the sale of the entire farm being Farm No. 132a and this is based on the fact that the payment towards purchase of the farm exceeded the contractual sum. 2.33. Further that the Deponent requested that information regarding tax statuses of, among others, the 6 th Interested Party be availed by the Zambia Revenue Authority as shown in the Tax Compliance Report marked "CC32" and dated 28th July, 2023. That upon analysis of the Tax Compliance Report, it revealed that there was no Property Transfer Tax paid in respect of the Sale of the said Farm, thus the Interested Parties evaded paying Tax as provided by the law. 2.34. The Deponent avers that he has reasonable suspicion to believe that the funds transfer by Mr. Mpoha for the purchase of Subl of 132a Farm were corruptly paid for the benefit of the 1st Interested Party for having facilitated the payment of USD 1, 675, 497 to ASA of Poland, a company in which Mr. Mpoha owns 3000 shares through his company called Savenda Academy of Excellence Limited. 2.35. According to the Deponent, he discovered through his investigations that the 1st Interested Party purchased Simonga Farm through funds co-mingled with funds Page 17 of J91 reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime. That the Applicant seized Simonga Farm through a Warrant of Seizure dated 2nd June, 2022 as deposed by one Ferguson Kombe and the same was handed over to the Deponent. Further that based on the foregoing, the Deponent recommended that the Applicant applies for the entire Farm No. 132a to be forfeited to the State for having been purchased using funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime. 2.36. The Affidavit in Opposition to the Amended Affidavit in support of Originating Notice of Motion was filed by Stardy Mwale, the 1st Interested Party. The gist of it is that he has been involved in several business ventures as shown from PACRA printouts collectively marked "SMI" from as back as late 1990 as follows: 2. 36.1. Chisanga Chilima Fanns Limited with an estimated annual tum over of above ZMW 2, 000. 000. 00 2.36.2. Trends Stationers and Business Machines with an estimated annual turnover of above ZMW 3, 000, 000. 00. 2.36.3 Masaiti Beams Motel with an estimated annual turnover of above Zl\J'W 2, 000, 000. 00 per annum. 2.36.4. Riso Trends Zambia Limited with an estimated annual turnover of above 2,000,000.00. 2.37. A related averment was that Trends Stationers and Business Machines is a business specialized in the Distribution, Supply and Maintenance of various business machines with Page 18 of J91 international business reputation spanning a number of years as may be seen from copies of various dealership appointments collectively marked "SM2". That Trends Stationers and Business Machines has been procuring Business Machines from authorized dealers and supplying the same to the Zambian market as shown in a copy of Bank Transfer and other invoices for purchases of business machines and consumables collectively marked "SM3". 2.38. Averring further, it was stated that Trends Stationers and Business Machines and Riso Trends Zambia Limited have been dominant suppliers of office machines and consumables on the Zambian market and enjoys massive share of the market supplying Universities, Government Schools, Private Schools and many other businesses as may be seen from the list of clients, copies of Contracts, Invoices and payment vouchers collectively marled "SM4". 2.39. According to the Deponent, he also served as Permanent Secretary in the Government of the Republic of Zambia from 2014 to 2020 and that in 2017, he was paid gratuity in excess of K2,500,000.00, part of which he invested into his business activities which included placing some money in Fixed Deposit Accounts. 2.40. It was averred that sometime in 2015, the Deponent engaged the 2nd and 3rd Interested Parties in their capacities as Directors and Shareholders in the 4 th Interested Party with a view of purchasing a portion of Farm No. 132a in Chikankata District of Southern Province. That some time in 201 7, the Page 19 of J91 2 nd and 3 rd Interested Parties on behalf of the 4 th Interested Party informed the 1st Interested Party that a resolution had been reached on behalf of the 4 th Interested Party to sell a portion of Farm No. 132a in Chikankata District Southern Province at a consideration of ZWM 3, 000,000.00 and a variety of livestock as proposed in the negotiation with the 1st Interested Party. 2 .41. The Deponent stated that acting in his capacity as owner of the business ref erred to above, he verbally agreed with the 2 nd, 3rd and 4 th Interested Parties that he would purchase from them a portion of Farm 132a. That in pursuance of the agreement, the Deponent caused to be sent to the 4 th Interested Party's Farm a number of animals that included cattle, goats and sheep as part consideration for the purchase of the Farm. 2.42. That sometime 1n 2017, the Deponent paid into the 4 th Interested Party's Account a sum of ZMW 2,500,000.00 as part consideration for the purchase of a portion of Farm No. 132a. That it was agreed that the 4 th Interested Party would commence the process of subdividing the property and marking off the proposed subdivision after the payment of the consideration as the papers had been submitted to the 4 th Interested Party's Lawyers. 2.43. It was averred that sometime in 2018, the 2 nd and 3 rd Interested Parties approached the 1st Interested Party and offered for sale to him the remaining extent of Farm No. 132a in Chikankata as they had made a decision to relocate to Page 20 of J91 Australia. That it was agreed that the 1st Interested Party would assume control of the business of the 4 th Interested Party and use the proceeds from there to pay for the purchase of the remaining extent of Farm No. 132a. 2.44. A related averment is that the 1st Interested Party took vacant possession of subdivision 1 No. 132a in 2017 and there was no agreed time frame for the payment of the purchase price of the remaining extent of Farm 132a as the same was tied to the business of the 4 th Interested Party as a going concern and the approval of the loans by the various Financial Institutions that the 1 SstJnterested Party and his entities had approached for financing. 2.45. Averring further, it was stated that following the failure by the financial institutions approached by the 1st Interested Party to finance the purchase of the Farm, the 4 th Interested Party took out an action against the 1st Interested Party in the High Court for Zambia on 23rd April, 2021, claiming inter alia the payment of USD 530,000.00, as the balance of the purchase price as may be gleaned from copies of the Writ of Summons, Statement · of Claim, Amended Defence and Counterclaim marked "SM6". 2.46. The Deponent stated that sometime in February, 2022, he was arrested by Officers from the Applicant and that he is currently appearing before Honorable Sylvia Munyinya in the Lusaka Subordinate Court as may be seen in the copy of indictment marked "SM7" and that in these proceedings, he Page 21 of J91 has heard no evidence adduced to support the charges of corruption levelled against him. 2.47 . According to the Deponent, he was informed by Mr. Moonga Shamwiinga during Court Proceedings that he did not find anything of evidential value during his interaction with an iphone 8 seized from Mr. Clever Mpoha during the conduct of his forensic analysis as indicated in the copy of the Report by Mr. Moonga Shamwiinga marked "SM8". That he was informed by Moonga Shamwiinga during Court Proceedings that a Digital Forensic Report marked "SM9" is generated every time something of evidential value is found on a digital device. 2 .48. It was deposed that the 1st Interested Party had been shown a copy of an interview marked "SMlO", which the Applicant through Mr. Clement Chipasha had conducted with Mr. Dariusz Prigan. That in the same video between 18 minutes to 19 minutes, the Deponent heard Mr. Clement Chipasha asking Mr. Dariusz Prigan to confirm the contents of a purported letter that talks about a USD 527,000.00 used to distribute to the PS at Ministry of Defence at the Ministry of Finance and Darius Prigan refused to attest to that information and in fact confirmed that the transaction was business to business. 2.49. That between 23 minutes to 26 minutes, the Deponent heard a Dr. Musonda clarifying the allegations that Mr. Mpoha had given money to the Secretary to the Treasury, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence and the three Directors. Page 22 of J91 Further that in the same video, he heard Mr. · Musonda confirm that Mr. Mpoha did not pay anyone in the Ministry of Defence and Finance to facilitate for the payment of t;he money and that he heard Mr. Prigan confirm that Mr. Mpoha was not involved with the Contract except for the bidding process. 2.50. The Deponent averred that in the same video referred to above, he heard Mr. Clement Chipasha constantly asking Mr. Dariusz Prigan to confirm the contents of a purported letter that talks about a USD 527,000.00 allegedly used to distribute to the PS at the Ministry of Defence and at the Ministry of Finance and Dariusz Prigan refused to attest to that information and repeatedly, told Mr. Chipasha that the payment was a business to business arrangement. 2. 51. That despite the transaction being labelled corrupt, the Deponent had seen a document from the Ministry of Finance and a copy of the Bank Statement for Mr. Dariusz Prigan showing that sometime in July, 2023, the Ministry of Finance did pay the money for the financing supply and delivery of uniforms to African Security Academy through the medium of Muleza Mwimbu and Company as shown in the documentation trail of payments marked "SMll". Further that the allegations in the criminal charges are the same as the claims in this application. 2.52. According to the Deponent, sometime in April, 2022, the Anti Corruption Commission sent Officers with what purported to be a Seizure Notice and evicted him from Subdivision 1 of Page 23 of J91 r I I - Farm No. 132a on allegation that he had purchased the entire farm 132a using proceeds of crime. 2.53 . He averred that he did not purchase the entire Farm No. 132a but instead paid for a Subdivision 1 of Farm No. 132a using proceeds from his gratuity and business activities. That he has never received any money from Mr. Clever Mpoha or Eagle Trading Limited for the purchase of Farm No. 132a as an inducement for him to facilitate for the payment of money to African Security Academy. Further that he has never admitted nor confirmed to anyone including the Applicant having received help from Mr. Clever Mpoha for purposes of purchasing Farm No. 132 on 18th April, 2018 and neither had he confirmed to anyone that he received a USD 200,000.00 from Clever Mpoha. 2.54. It was deposed that the Deponent had read the 2 nd and 3 rd Interested Parties' Affidavit filed into Court and wished to refer the Court to Paragraph 48 where the 2nd and 3 r d Interested Parties confirm receipt of USD 200,000.00 as payment for Farm Development Equipment. That he is informed by Mr. William Arnold that the USD 200,000.00 paid by Eagle Trading Limited to the 4th Interested Party was meant for Farm Development Equipment which equipment was collected from Simonga Farm in 2018 as indicated in the acknowledgment for the farm equipment marked "SM12". 2. 55. Concluding his deposition, the 1st Interested Party stated that he is a party to the dispute over the completion of the sale of the remaining extent of Farm No 132a which is still active in Page 24 of J91 Court before Honorable Madam Justice C. C. Zulu under Cause No. 2021/HP/0452. 2.56. As indicated in Paragraph 1.3. above, the 2 nd, 3rd and 4 th Interested Parties filed an Affidavit in Opposition on 1st February, 2023, deposed to jointly by Micheal William Arnold and Susan Carolyn Arnold in their capacity as Directors and shareholders in the 4 th Interested Party. 2.57. The Deponents averred that sometime 1n 2017, the 4 th Interested Party through its Directors (the 2nd and 3rd Interested Parties) agreed to sale to the 6 th Interested Party a portion of Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province measuring approximately 170.0915 hectares and the same to be marked off from the mother title relating to Farm No. 132a, Chikankata, Southern Province. That further to the foregoing, by verbal agreement sometime in July, 2018, the 4 th Interested Party through its Directors agreed to sale to the 6 th Interested Party the remaining extent of Farm No. 132a Chikankata Southern Province at a consideration of USD 550,000.00 based on a recent Valuation Report marked "MWASCAl" which had pegged the same at USD 560,000.00. 2. 58. It was deposed that the 4 th Interested Party sometime in 2020, obtained from the Ministry of Lands Certificate of Title No. 73999 relating to Subdivision 1 of Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province and Certificate of Title No. 73996 relating to the remaining extent of Farm 1321 Chikankata, Southern Province as shown in the true copies of Titles collectively marked "MWASCA2". That in respect of Page 25 of J91 the sale relating to the remaining extent of Farm No. 132, it was agreed that the 1st Interested Party would pay a deposit of USD 275, 000 to the 2nd and 3rd Interested Parties upon obtaining a loan from a Bank. 2.59. A related averment is that it was agreed between the 1 st Interested Party and the 2 nd, 3rd and 4 th Interested Party that the 1st Interested Party was allowed to take vacant possession of the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a as well as take full control of the operations of the 4 th Interested Party's business for reason that the 2 nd and 3rd Interested Parties were relocating from Zambia to Australia. That to that effect a Board Resolution was passed in order that the 1st Interested Party be put on the Bank Mandate, by reason that the operations including finances of the 4 th Interested Party was now in the control of the 1st Interested Party as agreed by the Parties. Further that the 1st Interested Party was in control of the finances of the 4 th Interested Party upon taking vacant possession of the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province. 2.60. According to the Deponents, it was agreed that the 1 st Interested Party and the 2nd and 3rd Respondents as Directors of the 4 th Interested Party that the 2 nd and 3rd Interested Parties would proceed to either 2. 60.1. Transfer all the shares in the 4 th Interested Party to the 1st Interested Party upon payment of the full contract price relating to the sale of the Page 26 of J91 Remaining Extent of Fann No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province, or 2.60.2. The 4th Interested Parl.y would be liquidated upon receipt of the full purchase price relating to the remaining Extent Fann No. 132a, Chikankata, Southern Province. 2.61. It was averred that the 2 nd and 3rd Interested Parties relocated to Australia in August 2018. 2.62. A further averment by the Deponents is that the 1st Interested Party unsuccessfully applied for a loan with Cavmont Bank and First National Bank in order to pay the agreed deposit of US$ 275,000.00 relating to the purchase of Farm No. 123a, Chikankata, Southern Province. That the 1st Interested Party failed to pay the deposit for the purchase of the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province as agreed despite having taken vacant possession and assuming full and exclusive control of the operations of the 4 th Interested Party's business. 2.63. According to the Deponent, in January, 2019, the 1st Interested Party promised the 2 nd and 3 rd Interested Parties that he would advance a sum of US$ 200,000.00 by 14th February, 2019, and US$ 10,000.00 by 28th February, 2019, to go towards the purchase of the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province. That the 1st Interested Party failed to pay as agreed and consequently promised the 2 nd and 3 rd Interested Parties that he would instead borrow US$200,000.00 as part payment of the Page 27 of J91 Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province and that further the 2 nd and 3 rd Interested Party could withdraw US$5,000.00 from the 4 th Interested Party's Account which sums would be deducted from the purchase price until full and final settlement of the contract price. Further that the 2 nd and 3 rd Interested Parties were only paid US$31,000.00 through monthly deductions/withdraws from the 4 th Interested Party's Account and nothing more thereby leaving the out-standing balance of US$ 519,000.00. 2.64. It was deposed that the 1st Interested Party having failed to pay the consideration price for the purchase of the Remaining Extent of Farm No 132a, the 4 th Interested Party commenced an action against the 1st Interested Party on 23rd April, 2021, under cause No. 2021/HP/0450 before Honourable Madam Justice C. C. Zulu as shown in the true copy of the Writ and Statement of Claim, Defence and Counter claim, Reply to Defence and Counterclaim and Reply to Defence and Counterclaim collectively marked "MWASCA3". That the reliefs being sought by the 4 th Interested Party against the 1s t Interested Party under the said cause are, among others. 2.64.1. Payment of the sum of USD 530,000.00 being the balance of the purchase price of part of Farm No. 132a. 2.64.2. In the alternative, an order for possession of Farm No. 132a together with all machinery and poultry equipment therein. Page 28 of J91 I - 2. 64. 3 An order for repayment and/ or to account for all income collected from the operations of the Farm since 1st August, 2018. 2.64.4. Order for mesne profits 2. 64. 5. An Order that the Defendant therein is liable for the payment of all NAPSA contribution and outstanding penalties on NAPSA contributions that have accrued on the Simonga Farm Account during the period that he has been operation on the Farm being an agent and/ or an officer of the Plaintiff company. 2. 64.6. Damages for breach of contract. 2.65 . The Deponent reiterated that the 1st Interested Party has never purchased Simonga Farm No. 132a at a cost of USD 2.5 Million but rather acquired Subdivision 1 of Farm No. 132a whose title is still in the 4 th Interested Party's name and is being held as a lien in respect of amounts owing for the contract for the purchase of the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a, Chikankata, Southern Province pending determination of the proceedings under Cause No. 2021/HP /0452. 2.66. It was deposed that the 2nd and 3 rd Interested Parties have never offered to the 6 th Interested Party to sale Simonga Farm at a value of USO 3,000 (ZMW 3,000,000) but rather Subdivision 1 of Farm No. 132a at the value of US$ 550,000.00. Page 29 of J91 2.67. The Deponents' averment is that Title to the Remaining Extent of Farm 132a belongs to the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th Interested Parties and has never been acquired by the 1st or indeed the 5th or 6th Interested Parties. That the 1227 .16 73 hectares relate to the mother Title of Simoonga Farm No. 132a before the subsequent subdivision of 17.0915 hectares which relates to what was Subdivision 1 of Farm 132a, Chikankanta, Southern Province. 2.68. According to the Deponents, payment of ZMW 2, 500,000.00 made by the 1st Interested Party into the 4 th Interested Party's Bank Account relates to the purchase by the 6 th Interested Party of Subdivision 1 of Farm No. 132a and not the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province. That the 1st Interested Party was given vacant possession of the Remaining Extent of the farm 132a as well as full control over the 4 th Interested Party's business and finances and Mr. Regi's Mada remained an employee of the 4 th Interested Party responsible for invoicing all egg sales, organizing procurement of stock feed and running the wages programme which included National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) contributions and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) for employees. 2.69. The Deponents reiterated that the Contract of Sale for K3,000,000.00, was executed to aid the 1st Interested Party to obtain a loan to pay off the Contract price relating to the sale of the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a. That furthermore, the 1st Interested Party or indeed the 5th or 6 th Page 30 of J91 Interested Parties have never paid to the 2 nd, 3 r d and 4th Interested Parties USD 200,000.00, for the purchase of either Subdivision 1 of Farm No. 132a or the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province, but the same was payment for farming equipment as indicated on the Bank transfer form. 2. 70. In the Affidavit in Reply to the 1st Interested Party's Affidavit in Opposition filed by Mr. Clement Chipasha on 9 th October, 2023. He stated that they had received a complaint as stated in the Affidavit in Support as per exhibit "CCl". 2. 71. According to the Deponent, his investigations established that contrary to the assertion by the 1st Interested Party, their business ventures do not date as far back as the early 90s as can be seen from the exhibit marked "SM 1" in the 1st Interested Party's Affidavit in Opposition which show that: (i) Trends Stationers and Business Machines was incorporated on 2()th October, 2003. ii) Masaiti Beam Motel was incorporated on 20th January, 2010. iii) Riso Trends was incorporated on 12th April, 2007 and iv) Chisanga Chilima Farms was incorporated on 3 rd November, 2020. Further that the said allegation of the 1st Interested Party being in Possession of Property Suspected of being Proceeds of Crime occurred between 2017 to 2018 which is before Chisanga Chilima Farms was incorporated. Page 31 of J91 2.72. It was deposed that although the 1st Interested Party is alleging that his companies stated above have been operational and making huge amounts of profits and turnovers, a search conducted at Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) revealed that Chisanga Chilima Farms and Riso Trends had either been filing Nil Returns or they had not been Tax Compliant as confirmed by the documents from ZRA marked "CCZa~b". That it was also established that Trends Stationers and Business Machines and Masaiti Beam Motel had no record of registration with ZRA. 2.73. Further that contrary to the 1st Interested Party's assertion that he was earning a salary and was paid gratuity that was partly used to invest into his business, the 1st Interested Party purchased Simonga Farm No. 132a from funds comingled with funds suspected to have been corruptly acquired and paid into the 4 th Interested Party's Bank Account. That contrary to the assertion that the 1st Interested Party has never received any money from Clever Mpoha, Mr. Mpoha paid USD 200,000.00 in the 4 th Interested Party' Bank Account 2.74. The Deponent averred that on 1st June, 2020, Clever Mpoha was called by the Applicant to give a Statement of Account on how the USD 200,000.00 was paid into the 4 th Interested Party's Bank Account and he stated that the payment was for the purchase of farm development equipment and an invoice marked "CC3" had been issued by the 4 th Interested Party. Page 32 of J91 2.75. It was deposed that Mr. Clever Mpoha had admitted that his company Eagle Trading International Limited received a portion of profits from Africa Security Academy Poland by the Ministry of Finance as shown in his Witness Statement marked "CC4" dated 1st June, 2020. 2.76. A further averment by the Deponent is that Mr. Clever Mpoha stated that the 2 nd Interested Party had approached him to buy farm equipment at the value of USD200,000.00. That Mr. Clever Mpoha through Eagle Trading International remitted a sum of USD200,000.00 into the 4 th Interested Party's Bank Account as exhibited in "CC30-32" in the Applicant's Affidavit in Support. 2.77. It was deposed that in Clever Mpoha's Statement, he alleges that the transaction to purchase farm equipment from the 2 nd Interested Party was never concluded. That however, the Deponent's investigations established that Clever Mpoha neither made any efforts to claim a refund for the payment towards the farm development equipment or to get part of the equipment. 2.78. The Deponent stated that his investigation established that the 1st Interested Party in his capacity as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence facilitated the payment of Arrangement Fees, Management Fees and Insurance Fees amounting to USDl,675,497,76 from Ministry of Finance to Africa Security Academy. That he discovered that after this was paid into Africa Academy Account, USD 527,448.88 was then paid to Eagle International Trading Limited Bank Page 33 of J91 Account by Africa Security Academy and thereafter Eagle International Trading paid USD200,000.00 into the 4 th Interested Party's Account. Further that as illustrated in the Applicant's Affidavit in Support, Clever Mpoha is Director and majority share holder at Eagle International Trading and also in Savenda Academy of Exellence which is a shareholder in Africa Security Academy. 2.79. The Deponent averred that he recorded a Warn and Caution Statement marked ''CCS" from the 1st Interested Party and he confirmed after being shown a What's App message in which he was asking Clever Mpoha to assist him pay for the purchase of Simonga Farm, that Clever Mpoha helped him to settle part payment for the purchase of Simonga Farm. 2.80. In the Affidavit in Reply to the 2 nd, 3rd and 4 th Interested Party which had been filed on 6 th October, 2023, Clement Chansa averred that having perused the Affidavit in Opposition by the 2°d, 3rd and 4 th Interested Parties, the 2 nd Interested Party sold Property No. F / 132a to the 4 th Interested Party which was 1.237.1670 Ha in extent. That he had been advised by Counsel and believes the same to be true that the Amended Defence and Counterclaim exhibited as "MWASCA3" in the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 Interested Parties' Affidavit in Opposition, the 1st Interested Party stated that he bought the entire Farm 132a and not a Subdivision of Farm 132a. 2.81. According to the Deponent, he recorded a Warn and Caution Statement on 10th November, 2020, from the 1st Interested Party who stated that the 2 nd Interested Party sold him the Page 34 of J91 Farm at Six Million Kwacha. That this appears to agree with the assertion by the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th Interested Parties in their Affidavit in Opposition that the purchase price for Subdivision 1 of Farm 132a was ZMW800,000.00 and that for the remrun1ng extent the purchase pnce was USDSS0,000.00 (approximately ZMW 5,200,000.00 at the time) bringing the total to ZMW6,000,000.00 as exhibited in "CCS" in the Affidavit in Reply. That in the same Warn and Caution Statement, the 1st Interested Party also admitted to paying ZMW400,000.00 to the 2nd Interested Party. 2.82. The Deponent averred that his investigations revealed that on 13th October, 20 17, the 1st Interested Party paid an amount of ZMW2,500,000.00 in the Account of the 4 th Interested Party held at First Capital Bank with a narrative of "Purchase of Farm" as exhibited in the Proof of Payment marked "CC23-24" om the Affidavit in Support by the Applicant. 3.83. Further that the Deponent's investigations established that an amount of USD200,000.00(approximately ZMW200,000.00 at the time) was paid on 18th April, 2018, from Eagle Trading International Limited authorized by one Clever Mpoha into the 4 th Interested Party's Account held at FNB with the narration "Farm equipment". That in addition, the 2 nd and 3rd and 4 th Interested Parties state in Paragraph 19 of the Affidavit 1n Opposition that they were paid only USD31,000.00 (which is approximately ZMW310,000.00 at the time) which brings the total amounts allegedly paid Page 35 of J91 towards the purchase of Simonga Farm to ZMWS,210,000.00. 2.84. The Deponent reiterated his averments as reflected in Paragraph 3.79 of this Judgment. 2.85. The Deponent also reiterated his averments regarding payment effected to the 4th Interested Party as stated in Paragraph 3.23 above. 2.86. According to the Deponent, he had been advised by Counsel with conduct of the Matter and believed that it is true that on 23rd April, 2019, way after the Interested Party instituted investigations into these transactions on 1st April, 2019, the 4 th Interested Party went ahead and filed into Court a Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim claiming among others, payment of USD530,000.00 (which 1s approximately ZMWS,300.00) as being payment for the purchase of Simonga Farms. 2.87. The Deponent averred that on 17th April, 2020, the 4 th Interested Party went ahead and applied for a separate Certificate of Title for Subdivisionl of Farm 132a as shown on page 61 of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Interested Parties 3.0. SKELETON ARGUMENTS 3.1. The Application by the Applicant was made pursuant to Sections 29 and 31 of the forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act (hereinafter referred to as "FPOCA") and Section 19 ( 1) of the Anti- Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 as read together Page 36 of J91 with Order 30 Rule 15 and 17 of the High Court Act Chapter 27 of the Laws of Zambia. 3.2. It was submitted that the evidence deposed in the Affidavit in Support of the Application shows that the 1st Interested Party whilst working in the Ministry of Defence as Permanent Secretary corruptly received gratification in the sum of USD 200,000.00 from Mr. Clever Mpoha, a Director at Eagle International Trading Limited and Savenda Management Services for having facilitated the payment of USD 1, 765,497.76 to African Security Academy, a company which Mr. Mpoha was a shareholder. 3.3. Submitting further, it was stated that investigations revealed that the said USD 1,675,497.76 was payment for Management fees which emanated from a Contract between Ministry of Defence and Africa Security Academy for the supply and delivery of uniforms and that Mr. Mpoha corruptly paid a gratification of USD 200,000.00, directly into the 4 th Interested Party's Bank Account with the narration "Farm Equipment" on behalf of the 1st Interested Party. 3.4. Further that thereafter, the 1st Interested Party entered into a contract for the sale of Simonga Farm with the 4 th Interested Party and it was established that the money used to pay for the said Farm was a result of corrupt practices in the manner he facilitated the payment of USD 1, 675, 497. 76 as Management Fees to African Security Academy. That therefore this action is in contravention of Section 19 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act and contention is that the farm is Page 37 of J91 .. tainted property premised on the fact that the concerned provisions in FPOCA and Anti - Corruption Act create serious offences. 3.5. It was submitted that the Applicant has on a balance of probability established from the evidence that the Farm in question is both tainted property and proceeds of crime and the Court was urged to so find. The Applicant placed reliance of United States Supreme Court case of Various Items of Personal Property v United States1 , the South Africa's Constitution Court case of Kumarnath Mohunram & Shelgate Investments Cc v The National Director of Public Prosecutions, BOE Bank Limited and The Law Review Project (As Amicus Curiae)2 wherein her ladyship cited with approval the holding of the Supreme Court of South Africa in the case of National Director of Public Prosecutions v RO Cook Properties3 . 3.6. The cases were cited for the effect that a civil recovery of property provides for Orders to be made for Forfeiture of tainted property even if no one has been convicted of having used the property or of having been guilty of the unlawful activities of which the property is said to be the proceeds of crnne. 3.7. The submissions are that the Applicant has on a balance of probability demonstrated that the 1s t Interested Party corruptly acquired Simonga Farm in the manner that a gratification of USD 200, 000.00. was paid for his benefit by Mr. Clever Mpoha when he transferred USD 200,000.00, into Page 38 of J91 the 4 th Interested Party's Account for the purchase of the said Farm after the 1st Interested Party facilitated a payment of USD 1, 675,497.76 to Africa Security Academy. 3.8. The Kenyan case of Ethics and Anti - Corruption v Patrick Ochieno Abachi & 6 Others4 was adverted to for the position that an individual has the evidentiary burden to offer satisfactory explanation for legitimate acquisition of the asset or forfeit such asset. The rider was that the 1st Interested Party during investigations failed to offer a satisfactory explanation as to how he acquired the Simonga Farm and that for this reason, the said Farm should be forfeited to the State. 3.9. In concluding the arguments, the Constitutional Court of South Africa case of Nkobi Holdings (PTY) Limited & Another v The State6 was ref erred to for the position that the primary purpose of confiscation or forfeiture proceedings, as the case may be, was to ensure that no person benefits from his or her wrong doing and that illegally acquired property deserves no protection under the Law. 3.10. In the Skeleton Arguments filed on behalf of the 1st Interested Party Section 2 of FPOCA was cited on the definition of tainted property. The submission is that in order to answer the question whether the property is tainted or not, there must be evidence that the 1st Interested Party committed a serious offence or a foreign serious offence. 3.11. According to the 1st Interested Party, the Affidavit deposed to by Mr. Clement Chipasha contains allegations that are not Page 39 of J91 supported by evidence and do not prove the commission or involvement of anyone of the Interested Parties in the commission of a serious offence. That this is confirmed by the fact that the same allegations are subject of a Criminal Trial in the Subordinate Court where the State is attempting to prove that there was corruption in the manner the 1st Respondent allegedly acquired Farm No. 132a in Chikankata. Further that the only way a property can be said to be tainted is upon production of proof that it was used in the commission of a serious offence. 3.12. In concluding the argument on behalf of the 1 st Interested Party, we were referred to the Court of Appeal of Zambia case of Johaness Kenneth Siogopi (T / A Nam Transport Co A Partnership) v Director of Public Prosecutions6 for the position that in order for a property to be tainted, commission of a serious offence must be shown. Further that the Applicant has not shown Court that Farm No. 132a is a tainted property. 3.13. The 2 nd, 3 rd, and 4 th Interested Parties, in the submission filed on their behalf referred Court to Sections 2, 29,30,31 and 78 of FPOCA together with Section 19 ( 1) of the Anti Corruption Act No. of 3 of 2012. The thrust of the submission is that the burden of proof in an application for Non - Conviction based Forfeiture rests upon the Applicant herein to prove that Farm No. 132 a Chikankata, Southern Province was purchased by the 1st Interested Party, a public Page 40 of J91 servant and used funds corruptly received contrary to Section 19 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act. 3.14.0ur attention was drawn to the case of Ventriglia and Manuela Sebastain Ventriglia v The People7 for the position that proceedings under FPOCA are Civil and the case of BJ Poultry Farms Ltd v Nutrifeeds Zambia Limited8 for the position that the standard of proof required in civil matters is balance of probabilities and a Plaintiff can not rely on a failed Defence to sustain a claim against the defendant. Further, for this proposition, the cases of Khalid Mohammed v The Attorney General9 and Zulu v Avondale Housing Project Limited10 were called in aid. 3.15. It was submitted that the Applicant herein has lamentably failed to lead cogent evidence proving that Farm No. 132a, Chikankata is tainted property i.e that the property is proceeds of an offence. That the evidence on the Record clearly shows that Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province no longer exists and that the properties that exist are Subdivision 1 of Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province as can be seen from exhibit marked "MWASCA2" which properties are in the names of the 4th Interested Parties and have never been conveyed to the 1st Interested Party. Further that Subdivision 1 of Farm 132a is still in the name of the 4 th Interested Party and the same is in the possession of the 2 nd and 3 rd Interested Parties as a lien against an agreement to sale the Remaining Extent of Farm 132a Chikankata to the 6 th Respondent. That the submission Page 41 of J91 therefore is that the Applicant has not led any cogent evidence to prove, on a balance of probability, that the 1st Interested Party or indeed the Sth or 6 th Interested Parties acquired any land as Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province. 3.16. A further submission is that the Applicant has lamentably failed to provide any proof that the 1st Interested Party while working in the Ministry of Defence as Permanent Secretary acquired Farm No. 132a, Chikankata, Southern Province using funds i.e USD 200,000.00 corruptly received as gratification from Mr. Mpoha, a Director at Eagle International Trading Limited and Savenda Management Services Limited for having facilitated the payment of USD 1, 675, 497 to Africa Security Academy, a company in which Mr. Mpoha was a shareholder. 3.17. A related submission is that in an attempt to prove that the 1st Interested Party had corruptly received USD 200,000.00 from Clement Mpoha, the Applicant had exhibited "CC30", "CC3 l and "CC32" which only go to show that Eagle Trading International remitted to the 4 th Interested Party USD 200,000.00 as payment for equipment for farm development pursuant to invoice No. INV. 74DD15-03-2018. That there is no proof on the said document to show that payment of the sum ofUSD 200,000.00 by Eagle Trading International to the 4 th Interested Party was for the purchase of Farm No. 132a, Chikankata, Southern Province. Further that there is equally no proof that the said USD 200,000.00 was paid by Eagle Page 42 of J91 Trading Limited for and on behalf of the 1st Interested Party as gratification for facilitating payment ofUSD 1,675,497.76 by the Government of the Republic of Zambia to African Security Academy as the Applicant seems to suggest. 3.18. It was submitted that the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th Interested Parties have objected to the Applicant's Application for Non Conviction Forfeiture primarily because they have sufficient interest in Subdivision 1 of Farm No. 132 a and the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a Chikankata, Southern Province, pursuant to Section 31 of FPOCA as the legal and registered owner of Certificate of Title No. 73999 relating to the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a, Chikankata, Southern Province. Further that the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th Interested Parties commenced an action under cause No. 2021/HP/0452 prior to the commencement of the proceedings herein, against the 1st Interested Party claiming, inter-alia, USD 550,000.00 being the contract price for the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a. 3.19. Our attention was drawn to Section 54 of the Lands and Deeds Act Chapter 185 of the Laws of Zambia and the case of Anti-Corruption Commission v Barnett Development Corporation Limited11 for the position that a certificate of title is conclusive evidence of ownership of land by the holder of the certificate. The case of Rapid Global Freight Limited v Zambia Railways12 was also cited for the proposition that a lien is a common law right and can not exist unless the lien Page 43 of J91 .,_ holder is in possession as the 2nd and 3rd Interested Parties are in possession in this case. 3.20. It was submitted that the 2nd, 3 rd and 4th Interested Parties satisfy the criteria set out under Section 31 (2) of FPOCA as read together with Section 2 of FPOCA on the definition of interest which was also stated by the Court of Appeal on an Application for Non- Conviction Forfeiture in the case of Nachanga Transport v The Director of Public Prosecutions 13 • 3.21. Contending further, it was stated that having satisfied that 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th Interested Parties have sufficient interest in the subject properly, an Order for Forfeiture of the same will have the consequence of compulsorily acquiring property belonging to the 4 th Interested Party in breach of its proprietary rights as guaranteed under Article 16 of the Constitution of Zambia. 3.22. Further that such acquisition would have been effected without following the properly laid down procedure under the provisions of the Lands Acquisition Act Chapter 189 of the Laws of Zambia to exercise the power of eminent domain meaning land would be taken away from the legal proprietor not for a public purpose and without compensation thereby faulting the due process of the law and principles of the Rule of Law. To bolster this argument, the case of Mpangwe Farms Limited and Others v The Attorney General14 was cited. Page 44 of J91 3.23 It was finally submitted that this Application constitutes a multiplicity of actions and therefore an abuse of Court process. That the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th Interested Parties have demonstrated by evidence that there is an active matter before Honorable Madam Justice C. C Zulu under Cause No. 2021/HP/0452 wherein the 4 th Interested Party has sued the 1st Interested Party in respect of the agreement to purchase the Remaining Extent of Farm No. 132a, Chikankata, Southern Province. Further that there 1s a very high likelihood or potential of there being two conflicting judgments rendered by High Court Judges of equal power and jurisdiction much to the embarrassment of the Judiciary as an Institution leading to multiplicity of actions which the Court frowns upon as stated in the· persuasive case of Zambia Revenue Authority v Felimart Investments15 . 3.24. In the Skeleton Arguments in Support of Reply to the 1st Interested Party's Affidavit in Opposition, the Applicant submitted that although the 1st Interested Party has an interest in the Farm No. 132a, the disputed Property was acquired as a result of serious offence of corrupt practices. That the nexus between the USD200,000.00 transferred from one Clever Mpoha to Simonga Farms Limited after the 1st Interested Party facilitated a successful payment to a company in which Clever Mpoha is a shareholder. 3.25. It was submitted that although the 1st Interested Party alleges that he has businesses which have been making huge amounts of profits and turnovers, exhibit "CC2a-b" shows Page 45 of J91 that his companies have either been filing Nil Returns or they had not been Tax Compliant and therefore that the alleged turnover of over ZMW 2,000,000.00 has not been substantiated. 3.26. Submitting further, it was the Applicant's position that the property in issue is tainted as it is connected to the serious offence of corrupt practices by and with a public officer contrary to Section 19 of Anti- Corruption Act but the Applicant need not prove the offence for purposes of Non Conviction Based Forfeiture. The cases of Various Items of Personal Property v United States 1 and Director of Assets Recovery Agency a & Others, R (on the application of) v Green & Others were called in aid to support the submission. That in the latter case the Court guided that a civil recovery action is not concerned with establishing criminal guilty but rather with 'Unlawful Conduct' solely for the purpose of identifying property with a sufficient relationship to that conduct to render it recoverable. 3.27. It was submitted that based on the above authorities the funds used to acquire Farm No. 132a were comingled with funds that are reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime, thus making the Property tainted Property. That the Applicant in these Proceedings has no obligation to establish the alleged corrupt conduct beyond reasonable doubt but on a balance of probabilities. 3.28. Section 33 (1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act was ref erred to for the position that any application made Page 46 of J91 thereunder is not a criminal proceeding. That it is therefore grossly erroneous for the 1st Interested Party to contend that the Applicant needs to discharge its criminal burden of proof when all the Applicant has to do is discharge it on a balance of probabilities. 3.29. The Applicant urged Court to accept that the evidence presented by the Applicant on the ground that the 1st Interested Party has not presented any evidence in rebuttal as was the instance taken in the case of KACC v James Mwathethe Mulewa & Another17 in which the High Court accepted the evidence presented by the Applicant which had not been rebutted by the Respondent. 3.30. The closing Submission in this regard is that this Court is only required to determine whether on a balance of probabilities Simonga Farm No. 132a sought to be forfeited is tainted property. Reliance for this submission was placed on the case of Asserts Recovery Agency v Joseph Wanjohi & Others18 . 3.31. In the Skeleton Arguments in Support of the Affidavit in Reply to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Interested Parties Affidavit 1n Opposition the Applicant submitted that the case of Nachanga Transport v Director of Public Prosecution13 cited by the Interested Parties explained that Section 31 of FPOCA and Non Conviction Based Forfeiture in general does not require a conviction or even a criminal charge. The Court's attention was drawn to the United Nations Conventions Against Corruption. That in line with these Page 47 of J91