Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Minister of Justice Constant Mutamba has, in a surprise move, angrily responded to a request for him to appear before the courts of law to defend himself and his involvement in a case of alleged embezzlement of public funds.
On Monday, May 26, 2025, Mutamba responded to a summon and accusations leveled against him by Firmin M’vonde, Attorney General at the Court of Cassation.
Speaking to his ministry’s officials and executives, he clearly stated his position that he has refused and will not appear before the magistrate despite being bound to do so as the law demands.
“Tell the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation that I am not afraid of prison, I am ready. He has committed a serious disciplinary offense. I have forbidden the Secretary General of Justice from responding to his invitation, and he will never see me before him to defend myself,” declared Constant Mutamba in a dry and aggressive tone.
Mutamba who recently signed a request for the Senate to lift former president Joseph Kabila’s immunity, goes further to accuse the Attorney General of acting politically
“He is in collusion with a group of Kabilists who are trying to humiliate me. That’s why I returned to the country: to confront them,” he said.
As a reminder, the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation has filed a request for the lifting of Minister Mutamba’s immunity, as part of an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of $39 million, funds intended for the construction of a prison in Kisangani.
This legal standoff is taking a political turn, and highlights growing tension.
