Kongo Central Assembly Authorizes Judicial Investigation Against Governor Grâce Bilolo

The Bureau of the Kongo Central Provincial Assembly authorized, on Wednesday, January 28, the opening of a judicial investigation against the provincial governor, Grâce Nkuanga Masuangi Bilolo. This decision follows a request from the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation, who submitted an indictment seeking authorization. The governor met with members of the Bureau prior to their deliberations. The five members of the Bureau stated that they reviewed the relevant legal texts, including the Constitution, the organic law on the Court of Cassation, laws governing the provinces, and the rules of procedure of the Provincial Assembly. They also considered the facts outlined in the indictment, the urgency of the case, and their discussions with the governor. While reaffirming the importance of the presumption of innocence, the Bureau granted the Attorney General’s request. This decision requires the Governor of Kongo Central to appear before the competent court to present his defense. Since last week, the Attorney General had sought this authorization following a damning report from the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF), which revealed the embezzlement of more than one million US dollars.