Wanted by justice to explain his involvement in the Chebeya affair, former Congolese police chief John Numbi has fled abroad and is now under arrest warrant. NGOs are asking the Congolese government for his extradition to Kinshasa following his flight from the DRC.
as reported from Kinshasa,Kamanda Wa Kamanda Muzembe
He was expected by military justice on Thursday, March 17 to explain his alleged involvement in the double murder on June 1, 2010 of Floribert Chebeya and his driver Fidèle Bazana, two human rights activists. But General John Numbi ignored the call from the military prosecution: he did not make the trip to Kinshasa.
On Saturday, March 20, parts of the military intelligence then went to the Beijing domain, the officer’s private farm where he usually lives during his stay in Lubumbashi. The former head of the national police was not there.
Escape to another country
The presidency of the republic, as well as military sources in Kinshasa, confirm that an order has been issued against the volatile four-star general. According to them, he would have found refuge in another country in the region.
John Numbi was recently quoted as sponsoring the killings of Chebeya and Bazana of two police officers who say they participated in the crime: Colonel Christian Ngoy Kenga Kenga and Jacques Mugabo – all two refugees from the Simba Battalion, also involved, who were previously arrested in Lubumbashi.
The civil parties raise their voices and condemn any negligence or complicity that would have enabled the general to avoid justice.
According to the Congolese NGO “The Voice of the Voiceless”, this possible flight abroad for General John Numbi, now under arrest warrant, would prove that “he fled for fear of being caught up in justice”, according to Rostin Manketa, its executive director. NGO founded by Floribert Chebeya.
Lina tightened around him and he preferred to flee. But I think it’s cowardice on his part, because he’s someone who said he was very powerful. And I think he should have confronted the Congolese judiciary and explained the real circumstances of the murder of these two human rights defenders. For us, it is a big shock, because John Numbi is still considered the main suspect in the murder of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire and Fidèle Bazana Edadi. General John Numbi is the same who had a meeting with Floribert Chebeya Bahizire, it was with no one but him. So I think all his statements were also swept aside by the two police officers who gave eloquent testimony. It remains for him to tell us from whom he was ordered to operate to murder Floribert and Fidèle.
John Numbi “fled for fear of justice”, says Rostin Manketa, executive director of the NGO “The voice of the voiceless” founded by Floribert Chebeya
►Also read:Chebeya-Bazana case in the Democratic Republic of Congo: General Djadjidja placed under house arrest
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