ABAZUNGURA BA RUGUMIRE v. FINABANK

ABAZUNGURA BA RUGUMIRE v. FINABANK

The Supreme Court held that Mukabagire Jeanne d’Arc did not have authority to bind the succession property as guarantee/mortgage for the loan, as she only had powers of administration, not disposition, and no consent from other heirs or court authorization was shown. The contracts of guarantee and mortgage were thus...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RCOMA 0099/10/CS
Parties
Appellant: Abazungura ba Rugumire François Xavier (Succession Rugumire François Xavier); Appellant: Rugumire Thierry; Appellant: Gumira Patrick; Appellant: Mukabagire Jeanne d’Arc; Respondent: Fina Bank; Respondent: Entreprise Shamukiga Charles; Respondent: Kayirangwa Claire
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
30 November 2012
Case Number
RCOMA 0099/10/CS
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Supreme Court Final Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed; guarantee and mortgage contracts void; only Shamukiga Charles liable for loan; partial legal fees awarded to Kayirangwa Claire; Fina Bank to pay its own costs.
Legal Topics
Guarantee Contracts, Mortgage, Succession Property, Capacity to Contract, Burden of Proof
Civil Law Banking Law Succession Law Guarantee Contracts Mortgage Succession Property Capacity to Contract Burden of Proof

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Parties

Abazungura ba Rugumire François Xavier (Succession Rugumire François Xavier)

Appellant

Rugumire Thierry

Appellant

Gumira Patrick

Appellant

Mukabagire Jeanne d’Arc

Appellant

Fina Bank

Respondent

Entreprise Shamukiga Charles

Respondent

Kayirangwa Claire

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Supreme Court Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether Mukabagire Jeanne d’Arc had authority to bind the succession property as guarantee and mortgage for a loan to Shamukiga Charles
  2. 2 Whether the guarantee and mortgage contracts signed by Mukabagire Jeanne d’Arc are valid and enforceable against the succession property and other heirs
  3. 3 Whether Kayirangwa Claire was a guarantor for the loan to Shamukiga Charles

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court held that Mukabagire Jeanne d’Arc did not have authority to bind the succession property as guarantee/mortgage for the loan, as she only had powers of administration, not disposition, and no consent from other heirs or court authorization was shown. The contracts of guarantee and mortgage were thus void. Fina Bank, as a professional, bore the risk for failing to verify authority. There was no evidence Kayirangwa Claire was a guarantor. Only Shamukiga Charles is liable for the loan. Kayirangwa Claire is entitled to partial legal fees but not damages.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; guarantee and mortgage contracts void; only Shamukiga Charles liable for loan; partial legal fees awarded to Kayirangwa Claire; Fina Bank to pay its own costs.

Orders

  • Guarantee and mortgage contracts signed by Mukabagire Jeanne d’Arc in the name of Succession Rugumire François Xavier are declared void.
  • Kayirangwa Claire is not liable for the loan and is awarded 300,000 FRW for legal fees.