By Luyando HaamboteJAMES Bwalya, one of the accused in the alleged abduction of Pamela Chisumpa and 12 others has u-turned in his plea on charges of escaping from lawful custody.Bwalya, who had earlier pleaded guilty in the matter before Lusaka Magistrate Keegan Litiya has pleaded not guilty.In this matter, which came up for sentencing, Bwalya was charged with Henry phiri and Christopher Nchenge, who have been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.According to the facts before the court, the accused escaped from Mwembeshi prison on February 26, 2023, around 23 hours, after the facility experienced a power outage.Bwalya has however denied escaping from Mwembeshi Prison, where he was being kept, pending trial in the abduction case.He has told the Lusaka Magistrate Court that he does not remember running away from prison, therefore changing his plea from guilty to not guilty.
Chisumpa’s abductor changes plea
