State House Hits Back at Civil Society Over Emmanuel Banda Statement

State House has responded to a joint civil society statement on the apprehension of Emmanuel Jay Banda, saying "a fugitive does not acquire immunity by crossing a border" and that Mr Banda is in custody and will appear before a competent court.

In a press release dated 20 October 2026, State House said the civil society statement of 18 October contains "a fundamental contradiction": it says it is not declaring the apprehension unlawful, yet calls on the international community to condemn "these acts of lawlessness." That, State House said, "is a verdict that precedes evidence."

The release said that Mr Banda made a public call for the assassination of the President and for the elimination of the ethnic group from which he hails, which it said, "if authenticated," requires explicit condemnation and urgent investigation. It also alleged that he raided a police station and assaulted officers, and committed a degrading act against a journalist carrying out his duties, and asked where the signatories' concern was then.

State House also asked whether Mr Banda was lawfully present in the foreign country from which he was apprehended, and what the organisations consider a lawful way to secure the return of a fugitive. It said cooperation between sovereign states to return wanted persons is "a legitimate exercise of sovereign responsibility and mutual legal assistance." It also questioned the funding of civil society organisations.

The release said Mr Banda "will be afforded medical care, access to counsel and family, and all rights guaranteed by the Constitution," and that "justice will be done according to the law."