Zambia's top prosecutor has refused to prosecute himself on charges of abuse of office and declared himself a free man.

"I am the director of public prosecution of the republic of Zambia and I have decided to enter a nolle prosequi against all the charges," Mutembo Nchito told a magistrate from the dock, using the Latin term for refusing to pursue a case.

Magistrate Lameck Mwale will rule on 2 March on whether Mr Nchito can prosecute himself or not.

Mr Nchito was briefly arrested last week on nine charges, including abusing his authority, contempt of court and fraudulent contracting of debt.

The offences were allegedly committed between 2008 and 2013.

A High Court then cancelled the warrant for his arrest, a ruling that ended the legal proceedings against Mr Nchito.

But former finance minister Newton Ng'uni, who brought the complaint against Mr Nchito, vowed to pursue an appeal.

Fresh summonses were issued this week against Mr Nchito, who is also prosecuting high-profile corruption cases, including those involving former president Rupiah Banda.