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In the DRC, the opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Matata Ponyo, is facing a 20-year prison sentence for alleged embezzlement of nearly $200 million earmarked for the agri-food park project.
This is the sentence requested against the man who was head of government between 2012 and 2016, on Wednesday April 23 by the public prosecutor at the Constitutional Court.
Matata Ponyo had already invoked his newly acquired immunity as a member of parliament.
His two co-accused, former central bank governor Deogratias Mutombo and South African businessman Christo Grobbler, cited health reasons.
A succession of finance inspectors took the stand to denounce Matata Ponyo.
The indictment was swift: “As all the elements constituting the offences charged against the defendants have been brought together, we request that your court sentence each of them to 20 years’ hard labor and order their immediate arrest”.
The verdict will be delivered on May 14. The defense had already challenged the court, arguing that two of the judges were out of order.
