Chiluba free at last - but at huge cost to taxpayer

Incidentally, the end to Chiluba's eight-year ordeal over allegations of plundering state coffers was low key.
It certainly was a far cry from the dramatic and unprecedented events of July 16, 2002, when the National Assembly voted for the first time ever to remove the immunity against prosecution of a former head of state so that he could face corruption charges.

Chiluba was subsequently charged with theft of half a million dollars from the public coffers, but was on solid legal grounds acquitted last August.  That did not stop the acquittal from being both controversial and divisive.  Some rubbished the verdict as they still do today alleging presidential interference.