Miles Sampa Granted K1 Million Bail Over Cybercrime Charge

Member of Parliament Miles Sampa has been granted K1 million bail in his own recognizance by the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court after he denied a charge of transmitting false information under the Cyber Crimes Act.

Sampa made his first court appearance before Magistrate Webster Milumbe following his arrest by the Zambia Police Service on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The State did not oppose bail, prompting the court to grant the lawmaker bond on condition that he provides two working sureties based in Lusaka, each bound in K1 million.

The charge arises from a social media post allegedly made by the lawmaker in which he claimed that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had established a “fake polling station” along Ring Road during the recent Chawama parliamentary by-election. The ECZ subsequently lodged a complaint with police, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Sampa has since pleaded not guilty to the offence of transmitting unsolicited or deceptive communication, contrary to Section 19 of the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025. The offence carries a possible penalty of a fine or imprisonment of up to seven years, or both, upon conviction.

Following the court proceedings, Sampa was remanded in custody pending the fulfilment of bail conditions. His case has been adjourned to a later date for commencement of trial.