Mar.22, 2010

Mathani Group of Companies Lawyer Zaheeda Essa has been charged with money laundering amounting to US$210 million.

Ms Essa pleaded not guilty to the charge of money laundering when she appeared together with her co-accused before Magistrate Kenneth Mulife this morning.

Bail application in the matter has been set for this afternoon.

Meanwhile the Law Association of Zambia has dismissed media reports that Ms Essa who is also facing charges of obstructing justice and failure to provide a shareholding certificate for Zambezi Portland Cement in another court attempted flee the country when she was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission officers.

LAZ President Stephen Lungu says contrary, Ms Essa was granted an order by the court last Friday to have her passport released to enable her travel outside the country for medical attention.

Mr Lungu has since condemned the arrest of Ms Essa by the DEC which he says is a total disregard of the court order.

He warns that there will be anarchy in the country if law enforcement agencies are allowed to disregard court orders.

He was speaking on Muvi Television’s breakfast show this morning.

Mrs Essa was arrested as she allegedly tried to flee the country aboard a South African Airways plane.

She had already boarded the plane when officers pounced on her.

Mrs. Essa and eleven others from Mathani Group of Companies are appearing in court for obstruction of justice.