Witness tells EFCC ‘ichola’ meant to purchase a chancery in Turkey was diverted by Malanji

The ongoing trial at the Economic and Financial Crimes Court has revealed a potentially significant scandal involving funds intended for the Zambian government’s chancery in Turkey. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

1. Witness Testimony: Cetin Eskiduman, a driver at the Zambian Embassy in Turkey, testified that he was instructed by the late Zambian ambassador to Turkey, Joseph Chilengi, to pick up two bags of money from işBank. This money, amounting to approximately $5 million, was reportedly intended for the purchase of a chancery in Turkey. The bags were then loaded onto a private jet, which was waiting for former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Malanji, at the airport.
2. Money Transfer: The testimony suggests that the funds meant for purchasing the chancery were diverted, with Malanji personally collecting the money from Turkey and transporting it back to Zambia. This raises concerns about the proper use and handling of the funds.
3. Discrepancies in Payment: Gulce Senger, an interpreter at the Zambian Embassy, revealed that the landlord initially requested $1.5 million for the property. However, discrepancies emerged when it was discovered that the actual payment for the chancery was significantly less than this amount. Senger was surprised to learn that the embassy had indeed purchased the property, which she initially thought had been canceled due to Chilengi’s death.
4. Allegations Against Yamba and Malanji: Fredson Yamba, a former Secretary to the Treasury, and Joseph Malanji are accused of mismanaging public funds and possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime. Yamba is alleged to have mishandled public resources related to the chancery purchase, while Malanji is accused of possessing helicopters that are suspected to be ill-gotten.
5. Trial Proceedings: The trial is ongoing, with further proceedings scheduled for August 16, 2024. The court is examining the legality and transparency of the financial transactions related to the chancery purchase and the alleged misconduct of the involved officials.