EIGHTEEN Grade 12 pupils out of the 48 who were arrested by police in Mansa for allegedly being in unlawful possession of examination papers have appeared in a magistrate's court for plea.

This is in a case where 48 pupils, who are juveniles, from Mabumba and Samfya High schools are charged with one count of unauthorised possession of examination papers or information.

In the second count, the accused are facing a charge of breaking into a building and committing a felony.

Nine of them, of which five were girls, appeared before Resident Magistrate Sydney Chikuba charged with unlawful possession of examination papers on November 5 this year in Mansa.

They are alleged to have been found in possession of one photocopy of Mathematics paper two without lawful authority.

Three of the pupils pleaded not guilty to the charge while six admitted being in possession of the papers and will appear in court on Tuesday next week.

Nine other pupils have been charged with one count of breaking into a building and committing a felony during the night of November 2, this year.

They are alleged to have broken into the head teacher's office at Mabumba High School with intent to steal and did steal Grade 12 final examination papers.

The accused applied for bail but it was denied by the State prosecutor for fear of them interfering with potential witnesses.