Zambia drops corruption charges against chief prosecutor

Zambia's chief prosecutor Mutembo Nchito (C) chats with lawyers for former president Rupiah Banda’ -- Erick Silwamba (R) and Patrick Mvunga (L) -- as they leave the Lusaka magistrates' court on March 26, 2013. By Joseph Mwenda (AFP/File)

Lusaka (AFP) - A court in Zambia on Monday dropped corruption charges against the country's chief prosecutor after he asked the magistrate to dismiss the case.

Mutembo Nchito had caused controversy when he refused last month to prosecute himself on charges of abuse of office, citing his position as director of public prosecution.

Magistrate Lameck Mwale said the director of public prosecution had "power to continue or discontinue a case and being an accused person does not take away those powers from him, and I am hereby discharging him."

Nchito was arrested on February 13 on nine charges of graft, including abuse of authority, contempt of court and fraudulent contracting of debt.

The charges for acts alleged to have been committed between 2008 and 2013 were brought by former finance minister Newton Ng'uni.

Nchito has often handled major cases in the southern African nation, including the corruption trial of former president Rupiah Banda.

Ng'uni has vowed to appeal the court's decision.

"It's not yet over, I am going to the high court. I am appealing to the high court, it's not over yet," he said after the verdict.