By BARNABAS ZULU LUSAKA lawyer Joseph Chirwa has criticised the use of the non-conviction forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act (FOPA) as a tool that is undermining the presumption of innocence and stifling legitimate businesses. According to Mr. Chirwa, the law, which was enacted to tackle economic crimes such as money laundering and corruption, has been weaponised to harass political opponents and destroy businesses under the guise of fighting corruption. Mr. Chirwa has argued that the law had shifted the burden of proof onto the accused, effectively reversing the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence. “The Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act has eroded the presumption of innocence,” Mr. Chirwa explained. “It puts accused persons in a position of ‘guilty until proven innocent.” It is now the duty of the accused to prove their innocence,” Mr Chirwa said. Mr. Chirwa explained that the shift in the burden of proof was solidified by the Supreme Court’s […]
Forfeiture law weaponized to settle political scores -lawyer
