FORMER Armcor Security Limited managing director Mohammed Patel has been jailed for two years and four months with hard labour for theft by director involving over K2 million.
Chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda said in a judgement delivered yesterday that Patel erred when he instructed the purchase of vehicles in the name of the security firm and later resold them without the board’s approval.
Patel was charged with 77 counts of theft by director involving 20 vehicles.
Mr Banda has also ordered that the vehicles, which were packed at Zambia Police headquarters, be returned to Armcor Security Limited.
“I find you guilty and sentence you to 28 months with hard labour with effect from today [yesterday],” he said.
Mr Banda said the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt to warrant the jailing of Patel.
He said the transaction Patel used to buy the vehicles was marred with fraud and irregularities.
Mr Banda acquitted Patel on three counts because they were not related to the offence.
Patel’s lawyer, Lubinda Linyama. said his client would appeal against Mr Banda’s judgement.