UBUSHINJACYAHA vs MURWANASHYAKA

UBUSHINJACYAHA vs MURWANASHYAKA

The Court of Appeal found that there was no sufficient and credible evidence, beyond reasonable doubt, to convict Murwanashyaka Asmani Appolinaire of defilement of a minor. The confession was not corroborated by other evidence, the child’s testimony was not supported as required by law, and the prosecution failed to...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RPAA01444/2024/CA
Parties
Prosecution: Ubushinjacyaha; Appellant/accused: Murwanashyaka Asmani Appolinaire
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
30 July 2025
Case Number
RPAA01444/2024/CA
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Final Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed; conviction quashed; accused acquitted and released.
Legal Topics
Sexual Offences Against Children, Standard of Proof, Admissibility of Confessions, Weight of Child Testimony, Appeal Procedure
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Evidence Law Child Protection Sexual Offences Against Children Standard of Proof Admissibility of Confessions Weight of Child Testimony Appeal Procedure

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Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Prosecution

Murwanashyaka Asmani Appolinaire

Appellant/accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether there was sufficient and credible evidence to convict Murwanashyaka Asmani Appolinaire of defilement of a minor
  2. 2 Whether the confession made during investigation was reliable and sufficient for conviction
  3. 3 Whether the lower courts erred in relying on the testimony of a child under 14 without corroboration

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal found that there was no sufficient and credible evidence, beyond reasonable doubt, to convict Murwanashyaka Asmani Appolinaire of defilement of a minor. The confession was not corroborated by other evidence, the child’s testimony was not supported as required by law, and the prosecution failed to provide conclusive proof. Therefore, the conviction was overturned and the accused acquitted.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; conviction quashed; accused acquitted and released.

Orders

  • Murwanashyaka Asmani Appolinaire is acquitted of the charge of defilement of a minor.
  • The judgment of the High Court, Nyanza Chamber, in RPA00135/2021/HC/NYZ is set aside in all its parts.