SAMPA IN COURT OVER $150,000 GOLD DEAL ALLEGATIONS
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.
Kelvin ...