FORMER Musanze District mayor, Célestin Karabayinga who was arrested during the festive season yesterday appeared in Musanze Intermediary Court to answer charges of corruption, and embezzlement of public funds.

Karabayinga appeared in court along side the former colleagues, District Executive Secretary, Oswald Habiyaremye and the officer in charge of culture and sports, Valente Nkurunziza.

They are all accused of having connived in the swindling up to Rwf 12 million through falsification of documents.

In a fully packed court room, Karabayinga represented by two lawyers denied the charges levelled against him.

The case which was presided over by three judges including the president of Musanze Intermediary Court, Izabela Riziki will tomorrow decide whether the trio will get bail or not.

One of the accused’s defense lawyers, Mbaga Tuzinde Mbonyimbuga pleaded with court to grant his client bail arguing that the charges lacked facts.

During the proceedings, court heard that Karabayinga had incorporated a company which was contracted to carry out infrastructure jobs, which was manifested a conflict of interest.

‘The purpose of the company was to channel public funds which would end up in the accused personal accounts,” Prosecution said.

In his defense, Karabayinga said that he channelled the money to his personal account because it was handed over to him in cash and that those who were supposed to ensure its use were directly answerable.

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