The detention of Papy Nkanga and Nico Kabund, suspects in the murder of Cherubin Okende, continues to raise questions about respect for the right to defense in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In an interview granted to ACTUALITE.CD, the lawyer for the two accused, Maître Jules Bongombe, denounces the conditions of detention of his clients and the non-respect of their right to be assisted by a lawyer of their choice, as provided for by article 19 of the Congolese Constitution.
According to Maître Jules Bongombe, he has not yet been able to contact his clients and did not have access to them during his presence at IPKIN, where they are detained. He emphasizes that despite their presumed innocence, they should benefit from the assistance of a lawyer upon their arrest.
The lawyer describes the current investigation procedure as “irregular” due to non-compliance with the right of defense. He insists that his clients must be assisted by a lawyer at all levels of the procedure, in accordance with article 19 of the Congolese Constitution.
The body of Cherubin Okende, riddled with bullets, was found abandoned in his vehicle on Avenue Produits-Lourd in Kinshasa/Gombe. Since then, Congolese justice has opened an investigation into his assassination, but no results have yet been announced.
In parallel with this case, an autopsy on the body of Cherubin Okende was carried out with the collaboration of Belgian, South African and MONUSCO experts, in the presence of members of his family. The results of this autopsy have not yet been made public.
This case highlights the importance of respecting the right to defense in legal proceedings in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is essential that all defendants are able to benefit from legal assistance upon their arrest, in order to ensure a fair trial that respects human rights.
The Cherubin Okende affair also raises questions about the effectiveness of the investigation and the lack of results announced so far. It is crucial that the competent authorities conduct a thorough and transparent investigation in order to shed light on this assassination and bring justice to the victim’s family.
In conclusion, it is essential to guarantee respect for the right to defense and transparency in judicial investigations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. All defendants must be able to benefit from adequate legal assistance and be tried fairly, in accordance with democratic principles and international standards.