• Interpol called in

KIGALI - Former Chief Executive Officer of Rwandatel, Patrick Kariningufu is being investigated for embezzlement of millions of francs from the company, The NewTimes has learnt.

A source from Rwandatel said yesterday that an on-going audit by the company has already established that Kariningufu could have embezzled a large sum of money from the company.

Reports say, since late last month, the youthful former CEO he has reportedly gone under ground for fear of being arrested. The New Times has learnt that police have contacted Interpol, to apprehend him.

Initial reports said Kariningufu fled to South Africa but has since relocated to the United States.

When contacted last evening, Hamidou Isiaka who replaced Kariningufu in October said the former CEO "is no longer part of us.”

"What I can confirm to you is that we have a clear message from our chairman that Kariningufu is no longer working with LAP Green,” Isiaka said by phone yesterday but declined to give more details surrounding the case.

Rwandatel is one of African telecom companies owned by LAP Green Networks, a Libyan Company.

A source in Rwandatel who spoke on condition of anonymity said Kariningufu had initially asked for a 15 day leave in early October this year.

After the 15 days, he was expected to return and be moved to head Lap Green’s business operation in Kampala, Uganda.

However, no sooner had Kariningufu started his fifteen-day leave than an audit was initiated which implicated him in the mismanagement of company resources.

Kariningufu reportedly got wind of the audit from his contacts within Rwandatel and decided disappear.

"As we speak now, over Frw 30million is not accounted for. But the audit is still going on, so it’s still early to get to bottom of the matter,” the source said.

Despite the news of Kariningufu’s Interpol surveillance being talk of the town, police officials were evasive.

When contacted, Tony Kuramba, who heads the Interpol unit at Rwanda National Police, threw a shroud over the affair.

He could neither confirm nor deny the matter. "Call the police spokesperson for the information,” Kuramba said by phone yesterday.

Asked whether Kariningufu had been listed by Interpol, Police spokesperson Supt. Eric Kayiranga could do no better.

He said he wanted to confirm first from Interpol boss Kuramba who had earlier referred this newspaper to him. Later, he said he was unaware about the development.

Ends