Since May 2025, the Chief Prosecutor at the DRC Court of Appeals has been investigating Mutamba for allegedly embezzling $19 million intended for the construction of Kisangani Prison in Tshopo province.
During his appearance before a special commission of the National Assembly tasked with overseeing his case, Mutamba admitted that the $19 million was missing and explained that the funds had been redirected to a fraudulent company account. He also took the opportunity to apologize.
Further questioning by the prosecution revealed that Mutamba’s statements helped uncover additional details of the crime.
While awaiting trial, Mutamba submitted his resignation to President Tshisekedi on June 17, 2025, reflecting on the positive contributions he had made during his time as Minister of Justice. However, he noted that his efforts had led to growing opposition against him.
Mutamba said, “Unfortunately, while I was committed to prosecuting senior leaders of AFC/M23, I was betrayed and backstabbed through a political plot orchestrated in Kigali by some of our own citizens, who sought to halt these reforms and my dedication to the country.”
He went on to explain that there had been multiple attempts on his life and that he had been vilified by “mafia groups” who blamed him for the judicial reforms he had championed.
In his message to President Tshisekedi, Mutamba also revealed that Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, had recently expressed support for his prosecution. He claimed that both Nduhungirehe and the leaders of AFC/M23 wished for his death.
On June 16, Nduhungirehe had stated that Mutamba’s actions, driven by genocidal ideology and hatred towards Rwanda, had become increasingly evident. He warned that such behavior would inevitably have consequences.
The minister’s message reminded the public that Mutamba had long targeted Rwanda, even claiming that he would imprison President Paul Kagame and label those he viewed as traitors.
Since the legal proceedings against him began, Mutamba has portrayed himself as a victim of betrayal by individuals with whom he had conflicts since joining the government.
He accused several officials, including Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka and Chief Prosecutor Firmin Mvonde, of supporting former President Joseph Kabila, who led the DRC from 2001 to 2009, during a time when Kabila was allegedly linked to AFC/M23.
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