UBUSHINJACYAHA v SEKAMANA N’UNDI

UBUSHINJACYAHA v SEKAMANA N’UNDI

The court found that Sekamana Isidore was properly convicted of drug trafficking based on consistent witness testimony, physical evidence, and his own admissions, and that Ahishakiye Balthazard's possession of 19 cannabis balls, combined with corroborating testimony and related evidence, constituted trafficking...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RPAA 00503/2023/CA
Parties
Prosecution: Ubushinjacyaha; Appellant: Sekamana Isidore; Appellant: Ahishakiye Balthazard; Co Accused: Mpirikanyi Pascal
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
24 January 2025
Case Number
RPAA 00503/2023/CA
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed; conviction and sentence affirmed
Legal Topics
Drug Offences, Evidence, Appeals, Sentencing
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Drug Offences Evidence Appeals Sentencing

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Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Prosecution

Sekamana Isidore

Appellant

Ahishakiye Balthazard

Appellant

Mpirikanyi Pascal

Co Accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment

  1. 1 Whether Sekamana Isidore was convicted of drug trafficking based on uncorroborated evidence
  2. 2 Whether Ahishakiye Balthazard's acts constituted possession for personal use or trafficking, and if sentence reduction or suspension was warranted

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that Sekamana Isidore was properly convicted of drug trafficking based on consistent witness testimony, physical evidence, and his own admissions, and that Ahishakiye Balthazard's possession of 19 cannabis balls, combined with corroborating testimony and related evidence, constituted trafficking rather than personal use. Both appellants failed to rebut the prosecution's case. Sentence reduction or suspension was not warranted as the imposed sentences were already at the statutory minimum and the custodial term exceeded the threshold for suspension.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed; conviction and sentence affirmed

Orders

  • The appeal by Sekamana Isidore and Ahishakiye Balthazard is dismissed as unfounded.
  • The High Court judgment No. RPA 00897/2020/HC/KIG of 15/09/2023 is affirmed without modification.