FIC (Financial Intelligence Centre) is a noted agency in Zambia dealing with investigations in financial matters. The intelligence agency recently reported mass money laundering racket involving top lawyers in Zambia. The FIC organized a meeting and discussion with top senior lawyers and made the decision of disclosing the list of named of individuals who have been found to store illicit money in their bank accounts. Information emerged during the investigation that majority of these illicit accounts were highly active during illegal and unethical activities such as fraudulent elections or during the infamous Presidential Petition.

Some of the top names in the list include those of Eastern Provincial Minister Makebi Zulu who owns the Makebi Zulu Advocated, former Attorneys Abyud Shonga and Stephen Lungu who owns the Shamwana and Company and Central Chambers owner Sakwiba Sikota, who is notorious for his long-term relationship with the Ventriglias. All these people have some unethical connections or illegal activities in their name, proving the suspicion of money laundering. Even high profile individuals such as former Presidential Affair ministers and aid to Presidents have been named in the list, which indicated the level of penetration of these illegal activities within the government and Zambia law and order system.

The investigation strengthened when more than 35,000 illegal cash transactions were reported from the individual and corporate bank accounts of various top lawyers. The amount of cash transactions went well over USD 1 billion, prompting the investigation. It was also found that more than 50 percent of the companies investigated in this money laundering scheme were not even tax registered. It was also found that most of the transactions were wired to banks in Dubai and China, making it difficult to track the foreign sources.

Almost entire Zambia is shocked with this money laundering scheme. Prominent industrialists such as Dr. Rajan Mahtani and others have heavily criticized the lawyers and other for abusing the state and the system for personal profits and have demanded strict action from the government.