Chiluba trial 'cost Zambia $ 13m'

Lusaka, 14 Nov-(ANA)-Zambian President Rupia Banda has said the government spent $ 13m (£ 7.8m)prosecuting President Frederick Chiluba.

The former president was accused of embezzling $ 500,000 of public funds.

Speaking at a rally, President Banda said the money would have been far better spent on schools, medicines and hospitals.

Mr Chiluba, who has famously extravagant tastes, was acquitted of the charges in August.

In a separate case in 2007, London's High Court ruled that Mr Chiluba had defrauded the Zambian government of more than $ 40m using UK-based bank accounts. (ANA)

FA/ANA/14 November 2008---