Bunia, July 3rd, 2021 (CPA) .- The Military Court of Ituri province imposed the sentence of five (5) years of main penal servitude (SPP) on Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Lambert Munano without circumstances mitigating for loss of weapons of war by negligence, in its first judgment delivered at a hearing held in the ordinary room of its hearings, found Friday the CPA.
The Military Court under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Colonel Magistrate Yenga Akelele, forthwith, ordered the payment by the convicted person of court fees in the order of 250,000 Congolese francs payable within three (3) months.
On the other hand, for the defendant adjutant first class, Bienvenu Ngwanga, the Court condemned him with mitigating circumstances, to two (2) years of SPP for the same file justifying the reduction of sentences in favor of the last defendant in relation to the indictment. of the public prosecutor for his young age, his cooperation with the justice system, his good faith and good will in buying a padlock for the deposit of weapons and his primary delinquency.
Long before in the reasons for its judgment, the Military Court considered that the accused Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Lambert Munano demonstrated « irresponsible behavior » which, through his negligence, resulted in the loss of five (5) AK47 weapons. dated October 12, 2020 in the locality of Bogoro located 25km from the city of Bunia.
« Why did Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Lambert Munano not take the initiative to use the two (2) soldiers who kept the food depot empty until the day when the thief destroyed the wire placed in the weapons deposit without breaking the padlock so much, ”she asked the Court.
For the accused Bienvenu Ngwanga, the Court noted that he had not also taken any initiative to take the two (2) soldiers placed at their disposal by the command to direct them to the weapons depot while the depot of food was empty.
Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Lambert Munano has time to appeal in the second degree to the high military court, if this judgment is not satisfied.
The prosecution case against a lieutenant colonel prosecuted for « violation of instructions » returned
Previously, during the first hearing, the Military Court had postponed until Saturday July 3, 2021, the case superior military auditor against three (3) defendants including a lieutenant colonel, a captain and an adjutant, all prosecuted for « violation of instructions » .
According to the body of law dated May 30th, 2021, Colonel Sadiki, second in command, unilaterally left his defensive position in Goga located 120km from Bunia for the center of the same locality in order to sip a drink in company. Captain S4 of his condition while the enemy was unpredictable in the area.
For the organ of law, it was not responsible for this lieutenant colonel to launch out in the « distraction » while the zone was in yellow ie the enemy could appear at any moment.
After questions from members of the composition, the public prosecutor as well as the defense to the defendants, the president of the chamber suspended the audience. ACP/NIG