Prosecution withdraws case against Rose Mukankomeje

The Prosecution has withdrawn the case against Dr Rose Mukankomeje, the former Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). The development was confirmed Thursday by Faustin Nkusi, the Spokesperson for the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA).

Friday, September 30, 2016
Dr Rose Mukankomeje and her lawyer Tharcisse Udahemuka in a previous court appearance. (File)

The Prosecution has withdrawn the case against Dr Rose Mukankomeje, the former Director General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

The development was confirmed Thursday by Faustin Nkusi, the Spokesperson for the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA).

The embattled former REMA boss stood accused of three counts; destruction of evidence, breach of professional secrecy and tarnishing the image of state institutions.

The NPPA spokesperson told The New Times that they had presented their position on the case before Kagarama Primary Court on Tuesday, a request that was granted the following day.

"The prosecution has the power to prosecute or not to prosecute. It is a principle of discretion of prosecution. The law allows us to withdraw the case if we find it unnecessary to continue prosecuting the case,” Nkusi said.

"So, what we have done is to exercise this power. We based ourselves on the organic law determining the organization, functioning and competence of NPPA in article 33 and article 124 of the criminal procedure code.”

In March, Mukankomeje was arrested by the Police for allegedly subverting a criminal investigation. The police said she sabotaged an investigation involving former leaders in Rutsiro District of the Western Province.

In September, a cabinet meeting appointed Colette Ruhamya as the director general of REMA, a position she had been serving in on an interim basis since the arrest of her former boss Mukankomeje.