UBUSHINJACYAHA v RWAGITERA

UBUSHINJACYAHA v RWAGITERA

The court found that the prosecution failed to provide evidence beyond reasonable doubt to support the conviction, as witness testimonies were inconsistent and the medical report did not conclusively prove defilement. Therefore, the benefit of the doubt must go to the accused, resulting in acquittal.

Citation
RPAA 00177/2018/CA
Parties
Prosecution: Ubushinjacyaha; Defendant: Rwagitera Célestin
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
21 February 2020
Case Number
RPAA 00177/2018/CA
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Final Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed; conviction and sentence overturned; acquittal entered.
Legal Topics
Burden of Proof, Standard of Proof, Sexual Offences, Appeals, Acquittal
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Criminal Procedure Burden of Proof Standard of Proof Sexual Offences Appeals Acquittal

Case Brief

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Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Prosecution

Rwagitera Célestin

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether there was evidence beyond reasonable doubt to convict Rwagitera Célestin of defilement of his daughter

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the prosecution failed to provide evidence beyond reasonable doubt to support the conviction, as witness testimonies were inconsistent and the medical report did not conclusively prove defilement. Therefore, the benefit of the doubt must go to the accused, resulting in acquittal.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; conviction and sentence overturned; acquittal entered.

Orders

  • The judgment of the High Court, Rwamagana Chamber, case RPA 00017/17/HC/RWG of 29/06/2017 is set aside in its entirety.
  • Rwagitera Célestin is acquitted due to reasonable doubt and must be released.