The decision followed a vote held on June 15, 2025. Of the 363 Members of Parliament who participated, 322 voted in favour of allowing the case to proceed, 29 opposed it, and 12 abstained.

Parliament had earlier established a special commission to investigate the matter. During a hearing with the commission, Mutamba admitted that the $19 million designated for the prison project was misappropriated and transferred to the account of a fictitious company. He also issued a public apology.

Despite acknowledging the mismanagement, Mutamba told the commission he is caught in a personal conflict with senior officials, including Prosecutor General Firmin Mvonde, who is spearheading the case against him.

He claimed he is being targeted for his anti-corruption efforts within the justice sector since joining the government in May 2024, alleging that Mvonde is acting out of revenge.

Mutamba further stated that a €900,000 house purchased by Mvonde in Belgium is under investigation, and questioned the prosecutor’s moral and legal authority to bring charges against him.

The National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo has granted the Prosecutor General permission to prosecute Justice Minister Constant Mutamba before the Court of Cassation over the alleged embezzlement of $19 million intended for the construction of Kisangani Prison in Tshopo Province.