While the lawyer representing the Congolese government has conceded that there is no sufficient evidence to prove Vital Kamerhe embezzled money from the national treasury; there is however proof that he did not follow public procurement regulations when authorising the payment of USD57 million to Samih Jammal's company Samibo.
Vital Kamerhe, the Chief of Staff of President Felix Tshisekedi, is currently standing trial on charges of corruption and money laundering. With him is his co-accused Samih Jammal, who was awarded a government contract to build 1500 prefab houses for the police and military.
During his testimony former Finance Minister Henri Yav Mulang, told the court that he was acting on the instructions of Kamerhe, when he decided to disburse the amount of USD57 million to Jammal's company. A statement Kamerhe did not deny.
However, according to Congo's procurement rules, this payment should have not been made because the contract relating to it was never approved by the Director General of Public Procurement Control (DGCMP).
Michel Ngongo Salamu, the Director General of Public Procurement Control had testify that he could not approve the contract signed between the Congolese government and Samih Jammal on the bases that it did not meet the necessary requirements; he further argued that the contract was modified by 225% when the law only allows for 15%.
The State wants Kamerhe to receive a 20 year sentence, and USD 47 million to be returned to government coffers. Judgement is reserved for 20 June 2020
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