Former justice minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Constant Mutamba, risks a 10-year prison sentence if convicted of embezzlement. He is accused of attempting to misappropriate nearly $20 million allocated for constructing a prison in Kisangani. In closing arguments on Wednesday, the prosecutor called for ten years of hard labor and a decade-long ban on Mutamba’s voting and electoral rights.
However, Mutamba’s defense contended that there was no evidence of embezzlement, highlighting that no funds were misappropriated in relation to the contract. They further pointed out that Mutamba involved the General Inspectorate of Finance and other oversight bodies in the transaction, demonstrating transparency and good faith.
In the meantime, Mutumba, a former presidential candidate in 2023, known for his anti-corruption stance, judicial reforms and criticisms of the legal system have made him a target for magistrates with the verdict expected on 27 August.
Leave a Reply