[JURIST] Former Zambian President Frederick Chiluba [Wikipedia profile] Monday challenged the $58 million (USD) fine imposed upon him [opinion text; Xinhua report] last month by a London judge, asking a Zambian court to throw out the fine because the UK court had no jurisdiction over Zambian affairs. Last month, High Court judge Peter Smith ordered Chiluba to pay the sum to compensate for money stolen during Chiluba's decade in power, which ended in 2001. The suit was brought in Britain [BBC report] by Zambian officials because Chiluba and his associates held the assets in the UK and other European countries. Chiluba's request was made to the Lusaka High Court, where last month an earlier verdict against Chiluba was recorded [Xinhua report], before the fine was reduced slightly.

Before the start of the UK trial, Chiluba asked the African Union [official website] to intervene on his behalf [JURIST report]. Chiluba is also on trial in Zimbabwe [JURIST report] on corruption charges. Reuters has more.