Title: The urgency of a change in the public prosecutor’s office in Beni: demands from civil society
Introduction :
The public prosecutor at the Beni high court, Philippe Majiko Itumbo, is at the heart of a controversy. Civil society, represented by organizations such as Civil Society/Forces vives, the Urban Youth Council and the NGO Convention for the Defense of Human Rights (CRDH), makes its voice heard and demands immediate departure of the last. According to these organizations, the prosecutor was guilty of unacceptable and contrary to the law behavior towards the population of the Beni region, in North Kivu. Let us analyze in detail the accusations and the prosecutor’s responses to them.
Arbitrary arrests and undignified behavior:
Civil society unequivocally denounces the arbitrary arrests perpetrated by prosecutor Philippe Majiko Itumbo with the aim of enriching himself. According to these organizations, he takes advantage of his status to exploit the population already badly affected by armed conflicts in the region. These practices run counter to fundamental principles of justice and undermine public confidence in the justice system. Civil society demands the release of those arbitrarily arrested as well as the restitution of misappropriated property.
The prosecutor defends himself and points the finger at a money laundering network:
Prosecutor Philippe Majiko Itumbo does not intend to let himself be accused without reacting and presents another version of the facts. According to him, these accusations are intended to torpedo his investigation into a mafia money laundering network which operates with Somali nationals. It highlights the complicity of certain economic operators in the region who facilitate these illicit activities. The prosecutor says his role is to enforce the laws governing the country and to fight against money laundering, the financing of terrorism and the proliferation of illegal weapons.
Requests from civil society and the initiation of disciplinary action:
Faced with these intersecting accusations, civil society and the organizations that represent it are demanding the immediate departure of prosecutor Philippe Majiko Itumbo. They consider that his actions infringe on the rights of citizens and degrade confidence in the judicial institution. In addition, they demand the release of people unjustly arrested and the restitution of misappropriated property. Finally, they request the opening of disciplinary action against the prosecutor in order to put an end to these harmful practices for the population of Beni.
Conclusion :
The controversy surrounding prosecutor Philippe Majiko Itumbo highlights a worrying situation in the judicial system in the Beni region. Accusations of arbitrary arrests and undignified behavior brought by civil society raise questions about respect for citizens’ rights and the integrity of the public prosecutor’s office. It is essential that steps are taken to restore trust and ensure fair access to justice. The departure of the accused prosecutor and the opening of a disciplinary investigation are crucial steps for a more transparent and impartial judicial system. Civil society and the population of Beni expect concrete change and fair justice.