There are fears for the life of former Zambian Defence Minister, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence, as he is reportedly experiencing severe health issues which has prompted his legal team to seek court permission for urgent medical treatment in South Africa.

The bail application filed by State Counsel, Bonaventure Mutale, at the Economic and Financial Crimes Court (EFCC), detailed Mwamba’s condition as having visibly swollen thighs and legs, suggesting that his current medication may be ineffective.

Mwamba, who is being held at Mwembeshi Correctional Facility, according to Zambia Monitor, was sentenced on October 10 by Magistrate Standford Ngobola on charges of conflict of interest and possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The Magistrate had previously denied his bail request, citing insufficient grounds but in the affidavit filed with the High Court, Mutale recounted his October 28 visit to Mwembeshi, where he noted the facility’s limited medical resources, staffed only by a clinical officer.

Mutable said he observed swelling in Mwamba’s lower body, reportedly necessitating specialist treatment abroad.

Mwamba’s defence also maintained that his appeal has merit, citing unresolved legal questions and a lack of evidence directly linking him to the alleged crimes.

The defence also argued that Mwamba’s five-year sentence is excessive for a first-time offender.

They highlighted potential delays in the High Court’s appeal process, suggesting that Mwamba could serve a substantial part of his sentence before the appeal is heard.

The legal team also asserted that he posed no flight risk and that his release on bail would not prejudice the State.

Mwamba’s appeal also included eight grounds, contending the trial court overlooked evidence that he had declared his interest, noting the case was previously closed after investigation.

His appeal further argued the magistrate erroneously dismissed his written declaration of interest under Section 28(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act.

President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, on Tuesday evening, placed a call to his Nigerian counterpart, President Bola Tinubu, where he expressed his gratitude to Nigeria for releasing the Binance Head of Financial Crimes Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, who had been detained in Nigeria since February and later charged alongside his company, Binance, with laundering $35.4million, and tax evasion.

In the 30-minute phone call, Biden also thanked Tinubu for dropping all the charges against Gambaryan, who is an American citizen.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, who revealed this while briefing State House Correspondents on the 30-minute voice call between both leaders, said Biden also pledged the US will partner and collaborate with West Africa in numerous sectors especially in regards to security in West Africa.

“I have been directed by Mr President to brief you with regards to his phone call with US President Joseph Biden at about 4 pm today,” Tuggar said.

“The two leaders exchanged pleasantries and President Biden proceeded to thank President Tinubu for his partnership and for Nigeria’s partnership, and in particular, for the collaboration between the two countries with regards to…the release of one of the suspects of the cryptocurrency exchange company that we’re all aware of.

“The two leaders also discussed the issue of the permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council.

“President Biden, once again, assured that the United States is committed to seeing Africa having two permanent seats.

“He also reiterated that he does not see any reason why one of those seats should not belong to Nigeria, given its position in Africa, its stature and its importance,” he added.

He confirmed that Gambaryan has already left Nigeria after eight months of detention, and has reunited with his family.

Gambaryan, a senior Binance executive was detained in Nigeria in early 2024 during a crackdown on cryptocurrency activity by the Nigerian government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had
filed money laundering charges against him, which Binance and Gambaryan denied complicity.

However, his extended detention drew international attention, as his health reportedly deteriorated while held at Kuje Prison with US diplomats and lawmakers pushing for his release, emphasising both his declining health and the need for transparent proceedings.

Despite repeated bail applications, he remained in custody for nearly eight months, raising diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Nigeria but last week, an Abuja Federal High Court had discharged Gambaryan from the money laundering charges.