ARPHAT ECOMASSY LTD N’UNDI v. MWAMBUTSA N’UNDI

ARPHAT ECOMASSY LTD N’UNDI v. MWAMBUTSA N’UNDI

The Court found that the partnership agreement of 07/06/2019 between ARPHAT ECOMASSY Ltd, Gakwandi Alfred, Mwambutsa Ngwabije Innocent, and Hitayezu Callixte created binding obligations for the appellants to repay the respondents' investment. The minutes of the meeting of 29/12/2019 did not constitute a new contract...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RCOMAA 00004/2022/CA
Parties
Appellant: ARPHAT ECOMASSY Ltd; Appellant: Gakwandi Alfred; Respondent: Mwambutsa Ngwabije Innocent; Respondent: Hitayezu Callixte
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
28 October 2022
Case Number
RCOMAA 00004/2022/CA
Procedural Posture
Commercial Contract Dispute / Appeal (court of Appeal)
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Partnership Agreements, Contractual Obligations, Breach of Contract, Recovery of Investment, Costs and Attorney Fees
Source Language
rw
Contract Law Commercial Law Partnership Agreements Contractual Obligations Breach of Contract Recovery of Investment Costs and Attorney Fees

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Parties

ARPHAT ECOMASSY Ltd

Appellant

Gakwandi Alfred

Appellant

Mwambutsa Ngwabije Innocent

Respondent

Hitayezu Callixte

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Commercial Contract Dispute / Appeal (court of Appeal)

  1. 1 Whether ARPHAT ECOMASSY Ltd and Gakwandi Alfred breached contractual obligations to Mwambutsa Ngwabije Innocent and Hitayezu Callixte and are liable to pay the claimed debt; Whether the minutes of the meeting of 29/12/2019 constituted a new contract superseding previous agreements; Whether respondents are entitled to interest and additional damages in appeal.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court found that the partnership agreement of 07/06/2019 between ARPHAT ECOMASSY Ltd, Gakwandi Alfred, Mwambutsa Ngwabije Innocent, and Hitayezu Callixte created binding obligations for the appellants to repay the respondents' investment. The minutes of the meeting of 29/12/2019 did not constitute a new contract or extinguish the original obligations. The appellants failed to demonstrate that they had fulfilled their obligation to recover and remit the funds. Therefore, the appellants are jointly liable to pay the respondents the agreed principal sum and costs. The respondents' claim for interest was rejected as it was raised for the first time on appeal.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • ARPHAT ECOMASSY Ltd and Gakwandi Alfred are jointly ordered to pay Mwambutsa Ngwabije Innocent and Hitayezu Callixte 142,200,000 Frw as principal investment.
  • ARPHAT ECOMASSY Ltd and Gakwandi Alfred are jointly ordered to pay 700,000 Frw for attorney fees and costs.