ROGER MARTYN SHAW N’ABANDI v. KAZINA

ROGER MARTYN SHAW N’ABANDI v. KAZINA

The court held that the forum selection clause was not binding as the relevant agreements were unsigned or not applicable; Kazina Balimba Joseph was not made a shareholder and thus entitled to restitution of his funds; the appellants personally received and misused the funds, justifying personal liability; interest...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RCOMAA 00035/2024/CA
Parties
Appellant: Roger Martyn Shaw N’Abandi; Respondent: Kazina Balimba Joseph
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
21 March 2025
Case Number
RCOMAA 00035/2024/CA
Procedural Posture
Civil Commercial Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment
Outcome
Appeal partially allowed; judgment below modified only as to interest calculation; otherwise affirmed.
Legal Topics
Breach of Contract, Restitution, Interest Calculation, Corporate Veil, Jurisdiction Clauses
Source Language
rw
Contract Law Company Law Breach of Contract Restitution Interest Calculation Corporate Veil Jurisdiction Clauses

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Parties

Roger Martyn Shaw N’Abandi

Appellant

Kazina Balimba Joseph

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Commercial Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment

  1. 1 Whether Rwandan courts had jurisdiction despite a foreign forum selection clause
  2. 2 Whether Kazina Balimba Joseph was a shareholder or creditor
  3. 3 Whether there was an enforceable investment agreement

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that the forum selection clause was not binding as the relevant agreements were unsigned or not applicable; Kazina Balimba Joseph was not made a shareholder and thus entitled to restitution of his funds; the appellants personally received and misused the funds, justifying personal liability; interest was to be calculated at the average lending rate from the date of demand (13/03/2021) to judgment; and damages and legal costs were properly awarded.

Court Disposition

Appeal partially allowed; judgment below modified only as to interest calculation; otherwise affirmed.

Orders

  • Appellants to jointly pay respondent USD 80,000 plus interest of USD 51,291 calculated at 15.94% per annum from 13/03/2021 to 21/03/2025.
  • Appellants to jointly pay respondent RWF 3,000,000 in legal costs and damages.