A Lusaka businessman, Ackson Tembo, has filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General, seeking K4 million in compensation for alleged false imprisonment and violation of his constitutional rights.
Tembo claims he was unlawfully arrested in November 2024 on accusations of obtaining money by false pretenses and taking pecuniary advantage. Though granted bail on November 15, police allegedly refused to release him despite fulfilling all conditions.
He contends that he was detained beyond the 48-hour legal limit without being presented in court, leading to a High Court writ of habeas corpus. The State, according to Tembo, failed to justify the extended detention, constituting unlawful imprisonment. Tembo is demanding K4 million in damages for false imprisonment and an additional K400,000 for legal and recovery fees. He is also seeking full legal costs of the action.
