Mubita Nawa from Zambia, who is on the shortlist to become the new head of Interpol, is facing accusations from lawyers representing Indian businessmen of involvement in their kidnapping and attempted extortion in 2022.
According to Digi24 lawyers for Vinod and Uddit Sadhu, who claim they were kidnapped in 2022, have sent a letter to Interpol stating that the allegations against Mubita Nawa, Deputy Commissioner of Police in Zambia, make him "obviously unsuitable" for the role of Secretary General
Nawa, backed by the African Union member states, is one of the four candidates on the shortlist for this position, with the next head of Interpol to be announced soon.
Allegations of Kidnapping and Extortion
The letter sent to Interpol by Leverets Group law firm in the UK on behalf of the Sadhu family states that their clients have "strong grounds to believe that Mr. Nawa played a key role in the conspiracy that led to the kidnapping, detention, and attempted extortion" in September 2022. Back then Nawa was Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation Department in Zambia.
The letter claims that the Sadhu brothers were "lured into an ambush by attackers posing as police officers and placed in an unmarked van before being taken to a private residence in Lusaka, where they were subjected to threats and coercion until one of the captives managed to call for help using a hidden mobile phone."
Afterward, they were transferred to a police station where they continued to face threats and coercion from other kidnappers, including Nawa.
Zambian Police Deny Allegations
In a statement, the Zambian police service categorically denied the "malicious accusations," stating that the alligations are unfounded, and only intend to tarnish Mubita Nawa's image.
The police further stated that the Sadhu brothers were suspects in a fraud investigation regarding the alteration of Sun Pharmaceuticals' share structure.
These accusations are part of a calculated smear campaign to undermine Mr. Nawa's candidacy and damage his reputation. A spokesperson for the brothers said they have not fled the country.
"They remained in Zambia for a year after the kidnapping but are now outside the country due to fear of further violence. No arrest warrant has been issued to the family or their lawyers."
The spokesperson added that the courts dismissed the charges against the Sadhu brothers and that the Zambian Ministry of Justice acknowledged owing 117 million Swiss francs to Sun Pharma.