By Ollus Ndomu
Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has failed to settle a K1 million legal bill following his unsuccessful bid to have three Constitutional Court judges recuse themselves from his eligibility case. In October, the Constitutional Court ruled against Lungu’s application, awarding legal costs to Michelo Chizombe and the State. The court condemned Lungu’s unsubstantiated claims of bias against the judges, including allegations of affiliation with President Hakainde Hichilema.
Court President Margaret Munalula, Vice-President Arnold Shilimi, and Judge Mapani Kawimbe chastised Lungu for his unfounded accusations, stating they amounted to contempt of court. Lungu had sought the recusal of the judges, claiming they were biased in his eligibility case for the 2026 election, but the court found no evidence to support his claims.
Following the ruling, Chizombe’s lawyers, L.J. Michaels Legal Practitioners, issued a demand for K1 million in legal fees, giving Lungu a seven-day deadline to pay. However, Lungu has yet to respond to the demand, and no payment has been made.
Michelo Chizombe’s lawyer, Michael Moono, told Kalemba that they would file a bill of costs in the Constitutional Court, which would outline the legal fees incurred. Moono added that they intend to apply for the taxation of the bill this week to recover the money from Lungu, as the former president has failed to acknowledge the demand.
Chizombe has also petitioned the Constitutional Court to determine whether Lungu, having served two terms as president, is eligible to contest future elections. The case remains pending, with the court’s decision expected to have significant implications for Lungu’s political future.
