NSANZABERA v. BARIGANZA N’ABANDI_kn

NSANZABERA v. BARIGANZA N’ABANDI_kn

The Supreme Court held that the value of the subject matter conferred jurisdiction, that the law in force at the time succession was initiated (Law Nº22/99 of 1999) applied, and that a prior customary gift to a daughter did not extinguish her right to inherit. The respondents were entitled to inherit in the place of...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RLR V.1-2018
Parties
Appellant: Nsanzabera Vincent Ibrahim; Respondent: Bariganza Evangile; Respondent: Muhawenimana Jean de Dieu
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
10 February 2017
Case Number
RCAA0006/15/CS
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Supreme Court Final Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed; partial allowance of cross-appeal
Legal Topics
Inheritance Rights of Daughters, Jurisdiction of Supreme Court, Distribution of Marital Property, Effect of Prior Customary Gifts on Succession
Source Language
rw
Family Law Succession Law Civil Procedure Inheritance Rights of Daughters Jurisdiction of Supreme Court Distribution of Marital Property Effect of Prior Customary Gifts on Succession

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Parties

Nsanzabera Vincent Ibrahim

Appellant

Bariganza Evangile

Respondent

Muhawenimana Jean de Dieu

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Supreme Court Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Supreme Court had jurisdiction based on the value of the subject matter
  2. 2 Whether the applicable law for succession was correctly applied regarding the date of death and initiation of succession
  3. 3 Whether a prior customary gift (umugabane w’uburushyi/igiseke) to a daughter extinguishes her right to inherit

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court held that the value of the subject matter conferred jurisdiction, that the law in force at the time succession was initiated (Law Nº22/99 of 1999) applied, and that a prior customary gift to a daughter did not extinguish her right to inherit. The respondents were entitled to inherit in the place of their mother, and the appellant's arguments lacked merit.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed; partial allowance of cross-appeal

Orders

  • Nsanzabera Vincent Ibrahim to pay Bariganza Evangile and Muhawenimana Jean de Dieu 700,000 Frw for legal fees and costs at this level.
  • The judgment of the High Court, Musanze Chamber (RCA0032/14/HC/MUS of 20/01/2015), remains unchanged.