Democratic Republic of Congo’s former prime minister Matata Ponyo Mapon has cancelled his scheduled court appearance before Constitutional Court in a case in which he has been prosecuted for alleged embezzlement of public funds.
Due to appear before court this Monday, 23rd April for continued trial, Matata Ponyo – leader of the opposition LGD party – has cited the Constitutional Court’s proceedings in the case to be “irregular, illegal and unconstitutional.”
Matata Ponyo’s party, the LGD, insist that its leader will not appear before court due to the absence of guarantees for a fair trial and the disregard for the right to defense as prescribed by the Constitution.
The LGD have since called on its members and supporters, as well as political allies, to remain alert “in the face of arbitrariness” against Matata Ponyo.
In this case, Matata Ponyo has being prosecuted for alleged embezzlement of US$205 million diverted from the total US$285 million disbursed by the Public Treasury for the Bukanga-Lonzo agro-industrial park, a pilot project to 250 km southeast of Kinshasa.
