Former Zambia First Lady Arrested on Money Laundering Charges
Former Zambia First Lady Esther Lungu has been arrested and charged with money laundering and possession of property suspected to be linked to criminal activities.
The arrest took place on Wednesday as Zambian police sealed off roads leading to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) offices in Lusaka due to heightened public interest in the case.
Lungu is accused of owning a property in Ibex Hill, Lusaka, valued at K4.8 million, which authorities suspect to be the proceeds of crime.
In addition to the property charge, she faces allegations of money laundering, with prosecutors claiming that she has been indirectly paying K45,000 per month for the property through a third-party lease agreement.
Ahead of her questioning, police deployed officers in full riot gear, restricting access to the DEC offices to manage the anticipated crowd.
Roads leading to the area were barricaded, significantly limiting movement around the offices.
Her lawyer, Charles Changala, identified the property in question as number LUSAK/LN 28935/7 and stated in a phone interview that Lungu denies all allegations. “They are alleging she possessed this property as a proceed of crime, which she denies,” he said.
Changala further explained that authorities claim Lungu engaged a third party to arrange the lease agreement, enabling her to make the alleged indirect monthly payments.
These transactions reportedly took place between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2023.
Lungu, who has consistently denied the charges, was previously released on police bond following her last engagement with the DEC on July 30, 2024.
Changala indicated that Lungu is expected to appear in court at a later date, with the possibility of facing additional charges.
-Zambia Monitor
