LUSAKA (AFP) - Former Zambian president Frederick Chiluba was Thursday interrogated over his role in the alleged theft of 7.8 million dollars (about 4.9 million euros) during his tenure, a top investigator said.

Chiluba, who faces fresh arrest for corruption, was interrogated for more than two hours by an elite graft-busting unit over the theft of the money paid to a Canadian firm for the supply of maize that was never delivered under his rule, Max Nkole told reporters.

Zambia contracted the Canadian firm, Carlington Sales Company, to supply maize worth 24 million dollars in 1997/98 period and made an advance payment of 7.8 million dollars but the grain was never delivered.

"He (Chiluba) was evasive during the question and answer interview," said Nkole, chairman of the Taskforce on Corruption.

Chiluba, 65, denied the allegations.

"He denied the allegations. They recorded a warning and caution statement and promised to arrest him soon," said Chiluba aide's Emmanuel Mwamba, who accompanied him to the interrogation venue.

"He therefore elected not to answer any questions prepared by the taskforce," Mwamba said, adding that it was a "constitutional right to remain silent."

"They specifically said he was involved in the theft of one million dollars out of the 7.8 million dollars allegedly stolen," Mwamba said.

Chiluba, who ruled Zambia between 1991 to 2001, is already facing several graft charges before a magistrate court. He is accused of having stolen huge sums of public funds together with his close aides and officials during his tenure.

A Zambian magistrate's court ruled last month that Chiluba should face a corruption trial in May.

Chiluba and two businessmen co-defendants are facing charges of theft of about 500,000 dollars (about 322,000 euros) in state funds.

The ex-leader has denied the charges, saying his arrest was politically motivated by his hand-picked successor President Levy Mwanawasa.

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