A Japanese businessman, Satoshi Sakamoto, has testified in the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court against former Kasama Central lawmaker Kelvin Sampa, who allegedly swindled him out of US$80,000 in a failed gold deal. Sakamoto, 62, said he entrusted Sampa with the money because he believed him to be trustworthy.
Sakamoto claimed that Sampa had told him he was close to the government and was President Hakainde Hichilema’s right-hand man. This assertion, coupled with Sampa’s former position as a Member of Parliament, led Sakamoto to trust him implicitly.
The court heard that Sakamoto initially gave Sampa the money after being advised that it was unsafe to keep it in his apartment. Sampa allegedly warned Sakamoto that gold sellers knew about the money and could attack him to steal it.
Sakamoto said he handed over the US$80,000 in cash to Sampa, believing him to be acting out of kindness. However, Sampa allegedly became elusive when queried about the status of the gold deal.
Sakamoto’s trust in Sampa was further bolstered by their mutual acquaintance, Kunihiro Fugishima, who claimed to have known Sampa for 30 years and had conducted several business deals with him.
The case against Sampa includes four counts of theft by agent and possession of paper or implements for forgery. It is alleged that Sampa stole US$70,000 from Fugishima and US$80,000 from Sakamoto, both under the pretext of purchasing gold. Additionally, Sampa is accused of being in possession of 110 forged US$100 banknotes.