Patriotic Front Secretary General Nakacinda Denied Bail Pending Appeal

The Secretary of the Patriotic Front, Raphael Nakacinda, has been denied bail by the Lusaka High Court while his appeal is pending.

High Court Judge Annie Ononinju ruled that Nakacinda failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would justify granting bail. The court does not foresee any delay in the hearing of his appeal.

Nakacinda's legal team argued that without bail, he would serve a substantial portion of his three-year jail term before the appeal concludes. He had previously applied for bail following the Lusaka High Court's decision to uphold his 18-month conviction by the Subordinate Court for defaming President Hakainde Hichilema.

Nakacinda was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment by Lusaka Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga on May 17, 2024, after being found guilty of defaming President Hichilema through remarks suggesting the President was meeting and coercing judges at his residence to punish political opponents— Nakacinda's remarks were criticised widely by legal and political figures at the time.