The Lusaka magistrate court has set 25th April 2023 as the date for judgment in a matter in which one of the two men accused of abducting thirteen young women in Lusaka is facing a charge of escape from lawful custody.
22-year old James Bwalya is jointly charged with Henry Phiri and Christopher Chilanga who are convicts.
When the matter came up before magistrate Kigani Litiya, all the accused pleaded guilty to the charge.
Facts before the court are that on 26th February 2023, the trio, jointly and whilst acting together, being persons in lawful custody of Mwembeshi prisons, did escape from custody.
Bwalya is also appearing before the Lusaka High Court facing over 50 counts of abduction, rape, assault and others.
Previously, a psychiatrist told the Lusaka high court Judge that the accused was unfit to stand trial for the over 50 charges as he suffered from a condition that caused him to lie often.
However, the court ruled that the accused is fit to stand trial since a medical report showed that he has no mental disability.
