The lawyers of former Prime Minister Matata Ponyo held a press conference to react to the summons issued against their client by the Attorney General at the Constitutional Court. According to the lawyers, this warrant to appear is irregular and has no legitimacy, because the Constitutional Court does not have jurisdiction to judge the offenses with which Matata Ponyo is accused.
Professor Nyabirungu Mwene Songa, lawyer for Matata Ponyo, pointed out that the summons is null and void if it concerns Bukanga Lonzo, because the Constitutional Court has no jurisdiction in this case. He also argued that the decision of the Constitutional Court declining its jurisdiction in the judgment of the former Prime Minister must be respected by the judicial authorities.
The lawsuits against Matata Ponyo mainly relate to the case of the debacle of the Bukangalonzo Agro-Industrial Park project, in which more than 250 million dollars were embezzled according to an IGF report. Matata Ponyo was Prime Minister at the material time. The Attorney General at the Constitutional Court also wishes to prosecute Matata Ponyo for acts of embezzlement of funds intended for the compensation of the former owners of Zairianized property.
Matata Ponyo denounces a cavalier procedure aimed at eliminating him from the presidential race of 2023, affirming that the Constitutional Court has already declared itself incompetent to judge him.
It is important to underline that this affair arouses strong reactions and controversies within the public opinion. Some support the lawsuit against Matata Ponyo, considering that he should be held responsible for the alleged embezzlement, while others believe that the procedure is politically motivated.
Whatever the outcome of this case, it is clear that the issue of the fight against corruption and the mismanagement of public funds is a major issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The population expects concrete measures to combat these practices and guarantee greater transparency in the management of public finances.
In conclusion, the debates and lawsuits concerning Matata Ponyo highlight the importance of the fight against corruption and the need to strengthen control and accountability mechanisms in the management of public funds