The finding of a Zambian court holds a salutary lesson for government appointees: ensure the legalities line up before breaking out the champagne

A JUDGMENT from Zambia’s court of appeal has left me thinking about the real meaning of independence.

The case concerns the appointment of the director-general of that country’s financial intelligence centre, the national agency mandated to handle information related to suspected money laundering, terrorist financing and other serious offences.

But although it is committed to integrity, honesty, impartiality and other worthy values, in 2013 the FIC appeared to be having some problems about staffing and, in particular, the appointment of its director.