UBUSHINJACYAHA v. NIRINGIYIMANA

UBUSHINJACYAHA v. NIRINGIYIMANA

The court held that Niringiyimana's confession to drug trafficking before investigative and prosecutorial authorities was voluntary, detailed, and corroborated by witness testimony. As he did not prove coercion, his later retraction in court was invalid. The quantity of drugs (46 packages) and his own admissions...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RPAA00889/2024/CA
Parties
Prosecution: Ubushinjacyaha; Defendant: Niringiyimana alias Bishyimbo
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
18 July 2025
Case Number
RPAA00889/2024/CA
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Drug Offences, Confession, Sentencing, Appeals
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Evidence Law Drug Offences Confession Sentencing Appeals

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Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Prosecution

Niringiyimana alias Bishyimbo

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the conviction for drug trafficking was proper given the defendant's claim the drugs were for personal use
  2. 2 Whether the defendant's confession before investigative authorities could be retracted at trial
  3. 3 Whether the sentence imposed was appropriate under the law

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that Niringiyimana's confession to drug trafficking before investigative and prosecutorial authorities was voluntary, detailed, and corroborated by witness testimony. As he did not prove coercion, his later retraction in court was invalid. The quantity of drugs (46 packages) and his own admissions supported the trafficking conviction. The sentence of 15 years' imprisonment and a fine of 5,000,000 Frw was the minimum permitted by law, considering mitigating factors.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal of Niringiyimana alias Bishyimbo is dismissed as unfounded.
  • The judgment of the High Court, RPA00694/2021/HC/RWG, is upheld in all its terms.