ZAMBIA officially charged former President Rupiah Banda with abuse of authority over a Nigerian oil deal, a government spokeswoman said yesterday.

— Reuters

Banda, who has been accused of misappropriating more than $11 million during his three years in office, was arrested and then later released on a bond, Namukolo Kasumpa, a spokeswoman for the government’s investigation team, said.

He will appear in court again today, she said.

Zambia this month stripped Banda of immunity from prosecution, a sign it was getting closer to bringing formal charges against him.

Banda, who led Africa’s top copper producer from 2008 to 2011, has maintained his innocence.

The former President was questioned for nearly three hours after his arrest, his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota said, adding that Banda had done nothing wrong.

Banda later appeared before supporters telling them to remain calm and that he would win his case in court.

Banda was defeated in 2011 by rival Michael Sata, whose government has launched several high-profile corruption probes into deals struck by the former administration.

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