HH eligibility case pre-hearing session on today
Nation Reporter
HH eligibility case pre-hearing session on today
Content Type: Free
By CHIKUMBI KATEBE
THE Constitutional Court is today expected to hold a pre-hearing conference to ascertain preparations of the main hearing in the petition that is challenging the eligibility of President Hakainde Hichilema in the August 13 general elections.
This is in a matter in which Chalres Longwe has challenged the eligibility of President Hichilema to stand as presidential candidate on the UPND ticket in the 2026 general elections when the party allegedly failed to hold a valid convention to elect party office holders after the National Management Committee (MNC) tenure had expired.
Counsel Michael Moono, one of President Hichilema’s lawyers told the media at the courts that the Status conference in the Charles Longwe versus Hakainde Hichilema and Secretary general Batuke Imenda was scheduled to Tuesday 16th June, 2026.
“Basically, what the hearing is for is so that the Constitutional Court can check that the parties have complied with the orders they gave last week in terms of filing the respective answers, replies, pleadings, basically to ensure the matter is ready for trial hearing on Friday 19 (June, 2026) which is the date they court had set for hearing the main matter.
“For the respondents, we are ready. We have complied with the court orders and so we will be demonstrating that to the court tomorrow readiness for the 19th June,” respondent lawyer Michael Moono explained.
Meanwhile, the respondents have filed a notice of appointment of co-advocates by naming former Home Affairs and Internal security minister Jack Mwimmbu’s law firm Messers’ Muleza Mwiimbu and Company among the defence.
Mr Mwiimbi joins former foreign affairs and international relation minister Mulambo Haimbe and Kamuwanga Phiri of Mulambo and Company, Mr Moono of L.J. Michaels Legal Practitioners, who is also representing Mr Imenda as UPND.
Other lawyers include Joseph Njobvu of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri’s private chambers, P N P Legal Practitioners.
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