UBUSHINJACYAHA v. NDAHUMBA N’ABANDI

UBUSHINJACYAHA v. NDAHUMBA N’ABANDI

Respondents, including cooperative leaders and contractors, conspired to inflate contract prices, approve and pay for non-existent or incomplete works, and falsify documents, resulting in embezzlement and misuse of cooperative property. Multiple audits and documentary evidence confirmed overpayments, forged documents, and payments for works not performed. The court found collective liability for embezzlement, misuse of property, and forgery, and ordered restitution and penalties under the special cooperative law, as it provides the least severe punishment among applicable statutes.

Citation
RP 00372/2020/TGI/GSBO
Parties
Applicant: Ubushinjacyaha; Respondent: Ndahumba Emile; Respondent: Mbagizente Edouard; Respondent: Uwitonze Joachim; Respondent: Uwicyeza Consolée; Respondent: Nyirurugo Aimable; Respondent: Mutware Bienvenu; Respondent: Mwiza Ernest; Respondent: Nteziryayo Eric; Respondent: Mubiru Godfrey; Respondent: Safari Fidèle; Respondent: Ahinkuye Bertin; Respondent: Uwizeyimana Alphonsine; Respondent: Mutabazi Allan; Respondent: Habakurama Venuste; Respondent: Nubuhoro Janvière; Respondent: ECOBARUS Ltd; Respondent: HI-SENSE ENGINEERS AND CONSULTANTS Ltd; Respondent: TECOM Ltd; Respondent: ETECO Ltd; Victim: COPCOM; Victim Advocate: Me Murekatete Herniette; Victim Advocate: Me Akimana Elisabeth
Court
Intermediate Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
14 January 2022
Case Number
RP 00372/2020/TGI/GSBO
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Final Judgment
Outcome
Conviction and partial acquittal
Legal Topics
Embezzlement, Misuse of Public Property, Forgery, Cooperative Management, Public Procurement Irregularities
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Cooperative Law Public Procurement Embezzlement Misuse of Public Property Forgery Cooperative Management Public Procurement Irregularities

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Legal principles 6 Authorities cited 7 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 12
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Applicant

Ndahumba Emile

Respondent

Mbagizente Edouard

Respondent

Uwitonze Joachim

Respondent

Uwicyeza Consolée

Respondent

Nyirurugo Aimable

Respondent

Mutware Bienvenu

Respondent

Mwiza Ernest

Respondent

Nteziryayo Eric

Respondent

Mubiru Godfrey

Respondent

Safari Fidèle

Respondent

Ahinkuye Bertin

Respondent

Uwizeyimana Alphonsine

Respondent

Mutabazi Allan

Respondent

Habakurama Venuste

Respondent

Nubuhoro Janvière

Respondent

ECOBARUS Ltd

Respondent

HI-SENSE ENGINEERS AND CONSULTANTS Ltd

Respondent

TECOM Ltd

Respondent

ETECO Ltd

Respondent

COPCOM

Victim

Me Murekatete Herniette

Victim Advocate

Me Akimana Elisabeth

Victim Advocate

Procedural Posture

Criminal / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether respondents committed embezzlement of cooperative property
  2. 2 Whether respondents misused public property
  3. 3 Whether respondents forged or used false documents

Ratio Decidendi

Respondents, including cooperative leaders and contractors, conspired to inflate contract prices, approve and pay for non-existent or incomplete works, and falsify documents, resulting in embezzlement and misuse of cooperative property. Multiple audits and documentary evidence confirmed overpayments, forged documents, and payments for works not performed. The court found collective liability for embezzlement, misuse of property, and forgery, and ordered restitution and penalties under the special cooperative law, as it provides the least severe punishment among applicable statutes.

Court Disposition

Conviction and partial acquittal

Orders

  • Respondents convicted of embezzlement, misuse of public property, and forgery; sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and RWF 5,000,000 fine each (except Uwizeyimana Alphonsine: 3 years imprisonment and RWF 1,000,000 fine).
  • Corporate respondents (HI-SENSE, ETECO Ltd, TECOM Ltd, ECOBARUS Ltd) fined RWF 5,000,000 each.