UBUSHINJACYAHA v NTAGANIRA

UBUSHINJACYAHA v NTAGANIRA

The Supreme Court held that hearsay evidence from MUHAWENIMANA Sabine was inadmissible as it was not based on her direct knowledge but on information from the accused. The Court found that NTAGANIRA Samuel provided material assistance by locking the victim and principal offender together, thereby facilitating the commission of the crime. The revision application was dismissed, and the conviction and sentence imposed by the High Court were upheld.

Citation
RS/INJUST/RP 00006/2024/SC
Parties
Prosecution: Ubushinjacyaha; Defendant: NTAGANIRA Samuel
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
11 July 2025
Case Number
RS/INJUST/RP 00006/2024/SC
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal (revision) / Supreme Court Decision on Revision for Miscarriage of Justice
Outcome
Revision application dismissed; conviction and sentence affirmed.
Legal Topics
Complicity, Hearsay Evidence, Sexual Offences Against Children, Standard of Proof, Admissibility of Evidence
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Evidence Law Complicity Hearsay Evidence Sexual Offences Against Children Standard of Proof Admissibility of Evidence

Case Brief

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Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Prosecution

NTAGANIRA Samuel

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal (revision) / Supreme Court Decision on Revision for Miscarriage of Justice

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether NTAGANIRA Samuel was a legal accomplice to the crime of defilement of a minor
  2. 2 Whether hearsay evidence from MUHAWENIMANA Sabine should be relied upon

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court held that hearsay evidence from MUHAWENIMANA Sabine was inadmissible as it was not based on her direct knowledge but on information from the accused. The Court found that NTAGANIRA Samuel provided material assistance by locking the victim and principal offender together, thereby facilitating the commission of the crime. The revision application was dismissed, and the conviction and sentence imposed by the High Court were upheld.

Court Disposition

Revision application dismissed; conviction and sentence affirmed.

Orders

  • The decision of the High Court in case no RPA 00472/2022/HC/KIG dated 09/06/2023 is upheld.