Jay Jay granted bail

SUSPENDED Patriotic Front Eastern Province youth chairperson Emmanuel Banda, commonly known as, Jay Jay, has been granted bail by the Chipata Magistrate Court. Banda, 35, appeared for plea before Senior Resident Magistrate Boniface Mwalaand pleaded not guilty to a charge of unlawful assembly. The accused, who was on a wheelchair, had been in police custody for more than 10 days. It is alleged that Banda on August 20 in Chipata did hold a procession from Protea Hotel to Luangwa House. Banda and other persons allegedly conducted themselves in a manner as to cause persons in the neighbourhood reasonable fear and breach of peace. After taking plea, Banda through his lawyer John Phiri of JMP Associates, applied for bail from the court. Mr Phiri told the court that the case Banda was charged with is a misdemeanor. He said Banda, who resides at Plot 509, in Petauke had been ill and was receiving medical attention at Chipata Central Hospital after he was arrested. Mr Mwala granted Banda bail with two working sureties from reputable firms or organisations or be it a company that has been in existence for two years. The court also stated that the two working sureties should be subjected to the sum of K20, 000 each in their recognisance. Banda will appear in court for mention on September 15 while September 24 has been set as the commencement of trial. – ZANIS.