The Attorney General at the Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Paul Mukolo Nkokesha, has issued a second warrant for the appearance of Senator Augustin Matata Ponyo. This case follows accusations of embezzlement of funds intended for the agro-industrial park of Bukanga-Lonzo. The senator would have embezzled 205 million dollars out of the 285 disbursed for this project, when he was prime minister.
In his official note, the Attorney General asks Augustin Matata Ponyo to appear before the Constitutional Court in order to be heard on the charges against him. The senator is called to appear on Wednesday, July 12 at 11 a.m.
This summons comes after several invitations and mandates to which Augustin Matata Ponyo did not respond. The Attorney General warns the senator, stating that in the event of non-compliance with this summons, he will be forced to comply with the law.
This case, which was opened in May 2021, aroused strong reactions. Augustin Matata Ponyo has denied the charges against him, saying he “stole no dollars” from the project. He also denounces a “manifest instrumentalization of justice”, stressing that these prosecutions would be motivated by political considerations.
The Congolese government supported the action of justice, stressing the importance of individual responsibility and the fight against corruption. Government spokesman Minister Patrick Muyaya insisted that all citizens must be able to answer for their actions.
This new summons to the Constitutional Court marks a further step in the development of this case. The next developments will determine whether Augustin Matata Ponyo will comply with the summons and how this case will be handled by the Congolese justice system