The High Court yesterday adjourned a rape case involving a Ministry of Finance director, Jean Jacques Nyirubutama, to October 1. Nyirubutama, who is accused of defilement and rape, was appealing against a court order by the Nyarugenge Court of Lower Instance that sent him on a 30-day provisional detention as investigations into his case continue.

He was denied bail and remanded last month at Kigali Central Prison for allegedly defiling his 14-year-old housemaid.

After hearing the appeal in camera, the High Court chaired by vice president Marie Rose Mukandamage, decided that court will by 0ctober 1 have verified claims made by Nyirubutama’s defense counsels. Clad in the pick prisoners’ uniform, Nyirubutama was accompanied by his wife and relatives. 

Prosecution maintains that there are serious reasons to believe Nyirabutama committed the crime arguing that he should serve the provisional sentence as investigations into his case go on.

But Nyirabutama’s lawyers John Haguma and Athanase Rutabingwa pleaded on the contrary saying that there can’t be sabotage to investigations while their client is outside prison.

The lawyers said that they were putting up the defense because their client risks serving a period longer than the 30-day provisional detention because the investigations were still at infant stages.

"There is really no big reason for him to be detained, the alleged victim is the sole provider of all the false information. Furthermore, medical reports show that the victim had sexual intercourse before,” Haguma said.

The Nyarugenge Court of Lower Instance on August 28 ruled that there were strong reasons to believe that Nyirubutama committed the alleged crimes, basing on information from witnesses and medical examinations.
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