The National Assembly has taken a decisive step in a case that is shaking the top of the Congolese judiciary. The Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Constant Mutamba, is officially handed over to the courts following a vote in plenary on Thursday 29th, authorizing the opening of a judicial investigation against him.

It all started with the reading of the report by the special commission set up to examine the indictment filed by the public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Maître Firmin Mvunde. The latter requested authorization to open a judicial investigation into the Minister of State. After a heated debate, the report was declared admissible by the majority of MPs present, paving the way for unprecedented legal proceedings against a senior member of the government in office.

According to the public prosecutor, Constant Mutamba exerted “strong pressure” on the deputy director general of the Direction Générale du Contrôle des Marchés Publics (DGCMP), threatening her in order to obtain approval for a contract awarded to a fictitious, non-existent company before the year 2024.

Worse still, he is accused of having ordered the release of 39 million US dollars, bypassing several essential stages of the procedure. This disbursement was allegedly made without the prior approval of the Prime Minister, Judith Suminwa, whose authorization has yet to be found.

For his part, Constant Mutamba has previously categorically rejected these accusations, while emphasizing that he will not appear before the public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation to defend himself.

He rejects all the charges against him. “The Attorney General is determined to get rid of me at all costs, because I am fighting against cheating and greed at the head of the Court of Cassation,” he told the press. The minister defended his action as a commitment to far-reaching reform of the justice system, despite, he said, the resistance and threats of an entrenched system.

“I am demonstrating bravery in the face of threats from those who are against the reform I am bringing to justice”, he hammered.

He also asserted that the public tender signed for the construction of the prison was authorized in accordance with the law, and that the absence of any reaction from the competent authority within the required timeframe was tantamount to tacit approval.

The plenary vote opens an uncertain judicial page for Constant Mutamba, who will now have to answer to the Congolese justice system. This case could ultimately reshuffle the judicial and political landscape in the Democratic Republic of Congo. All eyes are now on what happens next.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma