09/03/2026
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and charged Patrick Nkhuwa, a District Planning Officer and Nakeempa Okello, an Accounts Assistant in the Ministry of Education at the Mkushi District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Office, for corruption involving over K100,000.00.
Also arrested and charged in this matter are Joseph Mwape and Dennis Charles Baines, employees at a named bank in Mkushi.
Patrick Nkhuwa, 40, of High Cost area and Nakeempa Okello, 45, of Farmers Training Centre (FTC) area in Mkushi District, have been jointly charged with one count of Abuse of Authority of Office by Public Officer, contrary to Section 21 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 of the Laws of Zambia.
In addition, Patrick Nkhuwa has been charged with two counts and Nakeempa Okello with one count of Corrupt Practices, contrary to Section 19 of the same law.
Meanwhile, Dennis Charles Baines, 35, of Plot No. 5016, Low Density area, has been charged with two counts while Joseph Mwape, 41, of the same residential area, with one count of Corrupt Practices with a Public Officer, contrary to Section 19(2) of the same law.
In count one, details are that Patrick Nkhuwa and Nakeempa Okello, between 1st July 2025 and 31st December 2025 in Mkushi District, being public officers serving as District Planning Officer and Accounts Assistant respectively at the Mkushi DEBS Office, jointly and whilst acting together with other unknown persons, corruptly facilitated the awarding of a contract to Ichikwanka Multi-Purpose Cooperative, when it did not qualify or meet the prerequisite standards to supply goods to Government.
In count two, it is alleged that during the same period Patrick Nkhuwa and Nakeempa Okello, whilst acting together with other unknown persons, received gratification (money) in relation to the same contract. Patrick Nkhuwa allegedly received K34,200.00 from Dennis Charles Baines and K24,470.00 from Joseph Mwape, while Nakeempa Okello allegedly received K42,950.00 from Denn