Fredson Kango Yamba v The Principal Resident Magistrate and Ors (2023/CCZ/ 003) [2023] ZMCC 24 (1 December 2023)

Fredson Kango Yamba v The Principal Resident Magistrate and Ors (2023/CCZ/ 003) [2023] ZMCC 24 (1 December 2023)

The Petition failed because the Petitioner did not follow the prescribed procedure for raising a constitutional issue, namely, seeking referral from the Subordinate Court under Article 128(2). The reference to Article 183(3)(d) in the particulars of offence does not, by itself, amount to criminalizing a...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] ZMCC 24
Parties
Petitioner: Fredson Kango Yamba; 1st Respondent: The Principal Anti-Corruption Commission; 2nd Respondent: The Attorney-General
Court
Constitutional Court of Zambia
Jurisdiction
Zambia
Case Number
2023/CCZ/ 003
Procedural Posture
Constitutional Petition / Judgment
Outcome
Petition dismissed
Legal Topics
Jurisdiction of Constitutional Court, Interpretation of Constitution, Criminalization of Constitutional Provisions, Referral Procedure for Constitutional Questions
Source Language
en
Constitutional Law Criminal Law Jurisdiction of Constitutional Court Interpretation of Constitution Criminalization of Constitutional Provisions Referral Procedure for Constitutional Questions

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Parties

Fredson Kango Yamba

Petitioner

The Principal Anti-Corruption Commission

1st Respondent

The Attorney-General

2nd Respondent

Procedural Posture

Constitutional Petition / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the charge sheet and prosecution of the Petitioner before the Subordinate Court violates or contravenes Articles 1(5) and 128(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution of Zambia
  2. 2 Whether reference to Article 183(3)(d) of the Constitution in the particulars of offence amounts to criminalizing a constitutional provision and usurping the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court

Ratio Decidendi

The Petition failed because the Petitioner did not follow the prescribed procedure for raising a constitutional issue, namely, seeking referral from the Subordinate Court under Article 128(2). The reference to Article 183(3)(d) in the particulars of offence does not, by itself, amount to criminalizing a constitutional provision or usurping the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court. The Subordinate Court retains jurisdiction over the criminal matter, and only the Constitutional Court can interpret the Constitution when properly referred.

Court Disposition

Petition dismissed

Orders

  • Each party to bear their own costs