By DELPHINE ZULU –

THE Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) has withdrawn the services of its lawyer in the case in which  the bank has sued directors of the defunct Zambian Airways to recover a K14 million debt.
Those dragged to court by DBZ are JCN Holdings, Post Newspaper Editor-in-chief Fred Mmembe and suspended Director of Public
Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito.
The scheduled re- trial suffered a  setback yesterday following the bank’s decision to consider engaging another lawyer.
When the matter came up for commencement of a re trial, DBZ lawyer, Buta  Gondwe informed the court that he had received fresh instructions from his clients  withdrawing his  services.
“Your honour I am unable to sit today and proceed with the matter because there is a development, my clients have withdrawn instructions from me to continue in this case.
“I now apply for leave to withdraw from representing them, once an alternative counsel is appointed, I would be able to advise
accordingly,” Mr Gondwe said.
But Lusaka High Court Judge, Justin Chashi expressed concern over the development and ordered DBZ to put its house in order and avoid delaying the matter further.
Mr Justice Chashi asked Mr Gondwe to put the application in writing so that it could be dealt with amicably.
“We have already lost three days now, we are supposed to make progress, please put your house in order once another lawyer is appointed,” Mr Justice Chashi said.
The defence lawyers sympathised with Mr Gondwe’s position but said the development affected them too as they would be required to start with fresh preparations.
Mr Nchito who is representing himself in the matter hoped that such delays would be avoided in the next sitting.
“Although Mr Gondwe is in a difficult situation, we are also put in a similar situation as the matter had been adjourned on two occasions losing three days already and need to start fresh arrangements,” Mr Nchito said.
The matter has since been adjourned to June 23, this year, while costs have been awarded to the defendants.