Former Democratic Republic of the Congo Justice Minister Constant Mutamba has publicly denounced his 10-year forced labor sentence in the Frivao case, a decision he claims is part of a "politico-judicial plot" against him. In a handwritten statement dated September 20, Mutamba expressed his surprise at the swift verdict, which was delivered by the Court of Cassation on September 18, 2026.
The Court of Cassation found Mutamba guilty of embezzlement of public funds, along with his co-defendant Chançard Bolukola, who received a seven-year sentence. The court also ordered the return of $14 million to the Frivao fund and required Mutamba and Bolukola to pay $300,000 in damages. Mutamba disputes the conviction, citing a rushed trial with no witnesses or material evidence presented.
Mutamba claims that his prosecution is a continuation of a politico-judicial démarche started in 2025, aimed at tarnishing his image and reputation. He asserts that he has served the state and the DRC with loyalty and patriotism, but accuses certain collaborators of seeking to attribute presidential ambitions to him.
The Frivao case revolves around the management of funds allocated for the compensation of victims of illicit activities in the DRC. The case examined several financial transactions, including a $14 million allocation to Congo Energy and $4 million to the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation.
The prosecution had initially requested 15 years of forced labor for both Mutamba and Bolukola. The Court of Cassation ultimately handed down a 10-year sentence to Mutamba and seven years to Bolukola. This conviction marks a significant development in Mutamba's judicial history, as he was previously sentenced to three years of forced labor in another case related to funds for a Kisangani prison.
With his public statement, Mutamba aims to extend his contestation beyond the courtroom, framing his conviction as a case with both judicial and political dimensions. This development sets the stage for a battle of narratives: on one side, the Court's decision based on examined facts, and on the other, Mutamba's assertion that his conviction is unjust and politically motivated.
The case has sparked controversy, with Mutamba's claims of a politico-judicial plot against him. According to César IPOKA, this case continues to raise concerns about the management of public funds and the accountability of high-ranking officials in the DRC.
Key points
- Constant Mutamba rejects his 10-year sentence in the Frivao case, denouncing it as a "politico-judicial plot".
- The Court of Cassation ordered the return of $14 million to the Frivao fund and required Mutamba and Bolukola to pay $300,000 in damages.
- Mutamba's conviction marks a significant development in his judicial history, as he was previously sentenced to three years of forced labor in another case.
