Zambia Police has cleared Congolese Rhumba star Koffi Olomide to perform in Zambia next weekend, contrary to media reports earlier in the week that the singer would be arrested on arrival, following allegations that he assaulted a photojournalist in Zambia during a previous tour and sexually assaulted his dancers, kidnapping them and employing them without valid permits in France.
Now Zambia police spokesperson Esther Katongo has said that Mr. Olomide is free to enter Zambia. Ms. Katongo said that there is no international arrest warrant for him from Interpol, no criminal record in Zambia, and said that “an assault case that was reported at Lusaka Division by a journalist was closed due to lack of evidence”.
Koffi Olomide, whose real name is Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, was supposed to hold two shows in Zambia this month.
Below is the full Zambia Police Statement
WE HAVE NO REASON TO ARREST KOFFI OLOMIDE – ZAMBIA POLICE
Lusaka, Friday, 20th July 2018 —— The Zambia Police conducted a search on the 24/7 INTERPOL system which has revealed that there is no International Warrant of arrest (red alert notice) in respect of Antoine Christopher Agbepa Mumba Alias Koffi Olomide indicating that he is wanted for any criminal offense in any Country.
Further, there is no criminal record on the Zambia Police Criminal Database in respect of Antoine Christopher Agbepa Mumba. An assault case that was reported at Lusaka Division by a journalist was closed due to lack of evidence.
We, therefore, wish to state that as Zambia Police, we have no reason to deny the subject musician from performing in Zambia.
ESTHER MWAATA KATONGO
ZAMBIA POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
