Zambian court drops ex-President Banda's corruption case

A court in Zambia has dropped corruption charges against former President Rupiah Banda after his immunity was restored last month, local media reported on Tuesday.

The judge ruled that Banda could not be prosecuted on any criminal charge due to the immunity, as Banda appeared in court.

He was facing two counts of corrupt practices.

Banda was stripped of immunity from prosecution in March, 2013 by parliament following corruption allegations against him.

But a court restored his immunity last month after an agreement between his lawyers and the prosecution team.

Banda was Zambian President from August 2008 to September 2011.

He is the second former Zambian president to have his immunity removed after leaving office.

In 2002, parliament removed late President Fredrick Chiluba's immunity and he faced a long trial over alleged corruption until he was acquitted in 2009.

Source: XINHUA