By JOHN SAKALA
Six inmates have escaped from lawful custody at the Chingola Magistrate Court following a miscommunication from court officials.
The six were appearing before Magistrate Stephen Maona for assault on Friday at about 11:40 hours on December 20, 2019
When the matter came up for plea, the complainant withdrew the matter and Magistrate Mr Maona adjourned the matter to day Monday December 23, 2019 for ruling.
As the police officer who was guarding them had gone to collect handcuffs from the holding cell, one of the court official advised the six accused to go home.
By the time the police officer was coming he found families to the six celebrating while the six accused persons had already gone home.
Two of the six accused person were on bail while four were in custody and were supposed to go be in police cells waiting for ruling which is coming up today.
Those that escaped are Lucky Mutale 29, of House Number 65 Andrew Mwenya Road, Amon Shila 28, of 35 Chiwempala Road, Moses Kunda 23, and Agrippa Nkandu 19 of 54 Andrew Mwenya Road.
Others are Maxwell Mulenga 26, of “R” Section and Oscar Sanga 29 of 21 Luangwa Road in Kasompe all of Chingola.
They were all facing the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
There is no arrest that has been made but both the state and court are hoping the six will present themselves today for ruling.