Court declines Chellah Tukuta bail pending appeal

THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has rejected an application for bail pending appeal by photographer Cornelius Chellah Tukuta. Chella was recently sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour for defaming former Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya. When the matter came up for hearing, Tuesday, High Court Judge Lameck Mwale, sitting as a chief resident magistrate, said he did not agree that the chances of the appeal were high as Chella’s conviction was well-grounded. “I have considered the application for bail pending appeal lodged by the convict in this matter and the position taken by the state. The reasons adduced by the appellant are that firstly the chances of his appeal succeeding are high and he would have served…...