FUGITIVE IS NOT A VICTIM!’….State House fires back at human rights groups over Jay Jay Banda apprehension

State House has issued a robust defense regarding the recent apprehension of fugitive former Petauke Central Member of Parliament, Emmanuel "Jay Jay" Banda, firmly rejecting assertions by various local and regional human rights coalitions that frame the politician as a victim of state overreach. The high-profile arrest, which followed an extensive manhunt after Banda's dramatic escape from lawful custody, has ignited a fierce national debate concerning the intersection of human rights, executive power, and the rule of law in Zambia. Human rights organizations and advocacy groups had previously raised concerns over due process, the security of detainees, and the circumstances surrounding the political figure's initial disappearance and subsequent recapture across international borders. Critics argued that the state's aggressive posture risks undermining fundamental legal protections. However, administration officials have pushed back vigorously against these allegations, asserting that a fugitive evading accountability cannot hide behind the shield of human rights advocacy to escape criminal prosecution. Speaking through senior government channels, State House emphasized that state security organs acted well within constitutional mandates to bring an escaped prisoner back to face active criminal charges. Authorities reiterated that the administration remains fully committed to upholding constitutionalism, but stressed that the rule of law must apply equally to all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation or parliamentary status. The government maintained that attempts to politicize a standard law enforcement operation are designed to obstruct justice and deflect public attention from substantive legal matters. Legal analysts across Lusaka have pointed out that the standoff highlights deeper polarizations within Zambia's civic space. While civil society watchdogs serve a crucial role in holding power to account and demanding transparency from security ag