Archbishop Alick Banda of Lusaka arrested

Archbishop Alick Banda of the Archdiocese of Lusaka was released on bail after spending one night in custody at the Lusaka Central Correctional Facility. His arrest on September 28, 2026, followed an appearance before the Drug Enforcement Commission of Zambia regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Drug Enforcement Commission charged the archbishop with possession of property suspected to have been unlawfully obtained, specifically a blue Toyota Hilux. Authorities allege the vehicle was obtained unlawfully from the Zambia Revenue Authority and was in his possession between April 22, 2021, and December 27, 2023. The commission stated the vehicle is part of a wider investigation into approximately 22 motor vehicles allegedly disposed of improperly.

During his appearance before Magistrate Mwandu Nakazwe at the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court, Archbishop Banda pleaded not guilty. The court granted him bail of 80,000 Zambian kwacha on his own recognizance, requiring three sureties to each be bound by 50,000 kwacha, and ordered him to surrender his travel documents. He remained in jail overnight because the process of finalizing the bail conditions was not completed before the close of business.

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops called for fairness, dignity, and due process for the archbishop, while the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar expressed solidarity with the Zambian bishops.