By ETAMBUYU SANG’ANDU –
THE murder suspects of late former Wusakile constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Barnabas Chella have pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder.
The seven suspects appeared before Kitwe High Court Judge, Catherene Makungu for plea where they all denied the charge.
This is in a case where Fredrick Mulusa, 25, Robby Mwelwa, 55, Joyce Mwansa, 63, Erick Mendulo, 46, Samson Chisala, 51, Kenneth Chisanga, 37, and Derrick Kalunga, 32, were arrested for allegedly axing Barnabas Chella, 60, to death over a land dispute.
The particulars of the offence are that the seven suspects on September 5 last year in Kitwe, jointly and while acting together with other unknown persons murdered Mr Chella.
Mr Chella was allegedly axed by the seven suspects at his Niza Farm in Kitwe’s Wusakile area last year.
It is alleged that the seven suspects, in the company of more than 70 other squatters, armed with axes and slashers descended on Mr Chella and started beating him up following a wrangle over land.
The assailants claimed the land did not belong to anyone and that the late Mr Chella had no right of being there and stopping them from encroaching on the same land.
The squatters started beating him and in the process one of the suspected squatters axed Mr Chella on the head, consequently killing him.
The matter has since been adjourned to January 13, this year for commencement of trial.
