Nigerian Man, Girlfriend Face Manslaughter Trial in Zambia Over Death of 22-Year-Old

Nigerian Man, Girlfriend Face Manslaughter Trial in Zambia Over Death of 22-Year-Old

A 34-year-old Nigerian man, Nathaniel Barthram and his Zambian girlfriend, Maria Zaloumis, have been charged in Zambia following the death of a 22-year-old man, Enoch Kasengele.

According to reports on Tuesday, the Kabwe Magistrate’s Court transferred the case to the High Court after the initial charge of murder was reduced to manslaughter, with both suspects granted bail.

Barthram and Zaloumis are among five people accused of committing the offence at Onani Farm in Kabwe on August 17. The other suspects include Daniel Chiluwa, Fortune Mwitangati and Gift Daka.

Kasengele was said to be a resident along the Kabwe-Lusaka Road before his alleged killing. Barthram, a Nigerian living at Tuzini Farm and Zaloumis, a farmer residing at Wonani Farm, were reportedly in a relationship at the time of the incident.

The Zambian Police Service had initially charged the suspects with murder on August 28 following the victim’s death. When they first appeared in court, Magistrate Wamundila Liswaniso read the charge, stating:

“You are all charged with one count of murder of 22-year-old Enock Simfukwe Kasengele on August 17, 2025, contrary to Section 200, Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.”

Following their arraignment, the accused were remanded at the Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility pending consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

However, during the latest hearing, State Advocate Joseph Zimba informed the court that the DPP had decided to downgrade the charge from murder to manslaughter.

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After the decision, the defence counsel applied for bail, arguing that manslaughter “is a bailable offence” and that the accused were willing to comply with all conditions.

The court granted bail of K20,000 each, with “two traceable civil servant sureties per accused.” Additionally, Barthram was required to surrender his Nigerian passport as part of the bail conditions.

The case, which has generated widespread public interest in Zambia, will proceed at the High Court in the coming weeks.