Military High Court Weighs Nullity Motions in Numbi-Tshiwewe Case

Kinshasa, August 7, 2026 - The Military High Court continued proceedings on August 6 in a high-profile case brought by the FARDC auditor general against several senior military figures, including Generals John Numbi and Christian Tshiwewe, seven other officers, and Pascal Nyembo, the former director general of the Centre d'expertise, d'evaluation et de certification, who remains at large.

The defendants face serious charges including conspiracy, treason, defense of terrorism, dissemination of false rumors, violations of orders, desertion abroad, illegal arms trading, and incitement of soldiers.

Defense lawyers for Major General Maurice Nyembo Kufi and Brigadier General John Chinyabuuma Kamukinde asked the court to nullify investigative acts. They challenged the National Security Council's role in the judicial inquiry and questioned the regularity of hearings, custody conditions, and limits on access to lawyers and family members.

Presiding judge Lieutenant General Joseph Mutombo Katalay heard the motions, while Attorney General Lieutenant General Lucien-Rene Likulia sought default judgments against absent defendants under Articles 326 and 327 of the Military Judicial Code. The next defense hearing was scheduled for August 13, 2026.