Christian Roger Okemba, who was elected mayor of the Congolese capital in 2017, was accused of embezzlement of public funds, dismissed from office in February and imprisoned in Brazzaville prison. He was tried and sentenced to five years in prison on Saturday 18 July 2020. His lawyers intend to appeal.
Christian Roger Okemba, aged 60, was found guilty of the acts of embezzlement of the last public charged against him and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, said Christian Oba, president of the Criminal Court which also sentenced the wife of the former mayor of Brazzaville to a 3-year suspended sentence. The couple must pay a fine of FCFA 200 million to the Brazzaville mayor’s office, according to the same verdict.
In addition, six co-accused of complicity, including Nicolas Okandzi, former Director General of the Budget, were acquitted.
The defense was given the opportunity to appeal within three days of the judgement. “The appeal in cassation is well worth it, because we have to get Christian Roger Okemba out of these bad sheets,” said defense lawyer Thomas Djolani.
Elected mayor of Brazzaville in 2017, Christian Roger Okemba was first suspended in February and then dismissed. He was accused by municipal officials of embezzling 1.25 billion CFA francs intended for the municipality.
Last May, Dieudonné Bantsimba succeeded him as mayor of Brazzaville to complete his term of office, which runs until 2022.