By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Democratic Republic of Congo’s Justice Minister, Constant Mutamba, has been stripped of his parliamentary immunity, paving the way for a criminal investigation and possible prosecution into his alleged involvement in a $19 million corruption scandal.
The case involves a total of $39 million allocated for the construction of a prison facility. Parliamentary sources say the investigation seeks to unravel whether Minister Mutamba abused his office by directing funds to an unapproved contractor.
The National Assembly had on Thursday approved a request from the Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation to open legal proceedings against Mutamba, following hours of heated debate.
The decision came after mounting allegations that the minister authorised an irregular $19 million advance payment for the construction of the new prison to be sited in Kisangani, Tshopo Province.
The payment, reportedly issued under a single-source procurement deal, was made before the contract had received formal approval from the relevant authorities, raising concerns of procedural violations and possible embezzlement.
Additionally, the funds did not originate from the state treasury but from FRIVAO, the agency managing $325 million in war reparations from Uganda. That agency falls under Mutamba’s direct supervision.
Defending himself, the minister admitted to “errors” and asked for forgiveness, while claiming he is the target of political revenge.
He blamed tensions with Prime Minister Judith Suminwa for a toxic work climate.
The parliamentary commission in charge of the case had earlier urged the full assembly to authorise legal action, describing the allegations as “extremely serious” under Congolese law and calling for accountability.
“The charges against the Minister of State for Justice and Keeper of the Seals are of a gravity that demands legal consequences,” the commission noted in its report.
Following the withdrawal of his immunity, Mutamba is expected to appear before prosecutors in the coming days.
Analysts say the development marks a rare move against a high-ranking official and highlights the growing scrutiny over the management of public funds in President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration.
The alleged graft adds to the broader debate around transparency and financial prudence in DRC governance, a country long plagued by allegations of financial mismanagement and weak institutional oversight.
If found guilty, the justice minister could face significant legal penalties and be forced to step down.
