The FIC (Financial Intelligence Centre) recently published a report wherein various lawyers were suspected of engaging in illegal cash transactions. This clearly states that money laundering activities are going on across Zambia on a large scale. The list comprises of various prominent lawyers, owners of law firms, government officials, contractors and even some ministers. This recent bust has been condemned by industrialists and common citizens alike. Businessmen like Dr. Rajan Mahtani and others are shocked by this revelation and have demanded strict punishment from the government to those who are guilty of the crimes.
Some of the prominent names in the list are Masozi Banda from Avik International and Sakwiba Sikota. Sakwiba Sikota is the owner of Central Chambers, a law firm. He is also known for his long-term association with the Ventriglias, who in-turn is notorious for their illegal and unlawful ventures as well as bending laws every now and then. His name in the list is a clear indication of how Sakibwa and the Ventriglias have together duped the Zambian citizens and industrialists for years.
The FIC told the reporters that it started the investigation after suspecting numerous cash transactions from corporate and individual bank accounts of noted lawyers, law firm owners and other government officials who were already under the radar. More than 35,000 such transactions were observed. It was also found that majority of the transactions were wired to bank accounts in Dubai or China, so it is practically difficult to trace the activities. It was also found that the majority of these illegal transactions were undertaken for funding fraudulent campaigns and presidential election.
Further investigation will reveal the depth of their involvement and the guilty ones are expected to be prosecuted by courts.
