The Gasabo Intermediate Court postponed to April,26 the hearing in the case involving businessman Jean Nsabimana, commonly known as ‘Dubai’, alongside his co-defendants Stephen Rwamurangwa, Chretien Raymond Mberabahizi, Jeanne d’Arc Nyirabihogo, and Nkulikiyimfura Theopiste.
The defendants face charges related to the 'Urukumbuzi' real estate, widely recognized as ‘Kwa Dubai’.
The decision to postpone the hearing was made, on March 22 after Nsabimana informed the court that he was unwell and not ready for the trial. Consequently, the presiding judge ruled to adjourn the trial, granting him time to recover.
Previously, the same court ruled to re-open the hearing following a request from the prosecution. They emphasized that throughout the proceedings, there had been no discussion or hearing regarding the defendants’ seized properties.
Due to this oversight, the prosecution requested the trial to be re-opened, allowing for discussion of the seized properties before concluding the hearings.
Usually, if properties are seized upon arrest and not discussed during the hearings, and the court concludes without deciding on them, the seized properties are immediately returned to the owner.
Nsabimana is an entrepreneur associated with the estate's development, while Rwamulangwa is a former Gasabo Mayor, Mberabahizi is a former Vice Mayor, Nyirabihogo a former One-Stop Center Director, and Nkulikiyimfura an engineer.
ALSO READ: ‘Kwa Dubai’: 2017 report raised red flags about housing quality
Nsabimana faces charges of forgery and fraud, while the district officials are implicated in complicity in fraud. Nkulikiyimfura faces charges of forgery.
The prosecution had sought a seven-year jail term for Dubai and three years for the former Gasabo district officials.
During a hearing in December, last year, the prosecution pushed for convictions on all counts and recommended appropriate sentences and fines: Nsabimana, seven years in jail and a fine of Rwf 3 million; former Gasabo district officials, three years' imprisonment and a fine of Rwf 5 million; Nkulikiyimfura, seven years in jail and a fine of Rwf 3 million for forgery.
ALSO READ: Kwa Dubai: Key questions on impending demolition of houses
All suspects pleaded not guilty and requested acquittal.
Nsabimana's lawyer additionally sought a suspended sentence if acquittal is not granted.
In April 2023, the suspects were apprehended after concerns due to the construction of substandard housing units in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo District.
In July of the same year, bail was granted to four suspects, while Nsabimana remained in custody as per the lower court's ruling.
Prosecutors allege that in 2013, Nsabimana entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gasabo District to construct 300 affordable houses in Kinyinya.
By 2017, 120 houses had been built and offered for sale at prices ranging from Rwf 15 million to Rwf 45 million.
However, a 2015 report from the Rwanda House Authority (RHA) raised concerns about the houses’ substandard quality. Despite instructions to address identified issues within a month, no action was taken. Subsequent inspections in 2017 revealed persistent shortcomings.
Buyers encountered numerous problems, including leaking roofs, cracking walls, poor plumbing, unsafe electrical installations, and inadequate sewerage systems.