PHOTO | JOSEPH MWENDA Former Zambian President Rupiah
Banda AFP
|
Zambian authorities on Tuesday stopped ex-president Rupiah
Banda from leaving the country to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Kenya's
new president, an aide and his lawyer said.
Banda, who is facing corruption charges, was turned around
at Lusaka international airport by immigration officials citing orders from
"higher up," aide Kennedy Limwanya told AFP.
"As I am speaking to you now, we are heading back home
from the airport."
Banda was recently stripped of his presidential immunity and
hit with a slew of graft charges, in what allies say is an attempt by his
successor as president, Michael Sata, to neutralise political opposition.
Lawyer Robert Amsterdam said a court order had cleared Banda
to travel to Kenya for Uhuru Kenyatta's swearing in.
Banda's passport, which was in the custody of the courts as
part of his bail conditions, was returned to him late Monday afternoon.
That, his aide said, left Tuesday as the only option to
travel, when Kenyatta was already being sworn in.
"The court ordered yesterday that the passport be
released and allow the old man to travel," said Limwanya.
"We got to the airport, we did all the formalities ...
and suddenly an immigration officer told us that he has instruction from above
not to allow the old man travel."
Banda, who ruled Zambia from 2008 to 2011, is accused of
benefiting from a Nigerian crude oil contract while in office.
He has denied the charges in the case he says is
politically-motivated.
He is due back in court later this month after the trial
failed to kick off twice in recent days.
The former head of state was arrested after lawmakers last
month lifted his immunity from prosecution, which he is fighting in a separate
court battle.
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