IBUKA officials’ bail verdict for today

The Nyarugenge Intermediate Court will today determine whether five senior officials of IBUKA can be granted provisional release as investigations into their case proceed.

Tuesday, May 04, 2010
FINGERED; Theodore Simburudari (File photo)

The Nyarugenge Intermediate Court will today determine whether five senior officials of IBUKA can be granted provisional release as investigations into their case proceed.

The officials, who are currently in detention, were arrested over a case involving the alleged mismanagement of survivors’ funds.

Prosecution accuses the officials of among other things creating ghost beneficiaries and inflating the figures of Survivors in some districts.

According to the Prosecution, over Rwf400 million was unaccounted for and that the officials have to explain how the money was spent.

The Prosecution, represented by Faustin Munyabuhoro, wants the suspects to stay in jail so that they don’t interfere with investigations.

The accused, who include Executive Secretary, Benoit Kaboyi, the Director of Finance, Naftal Ahishakiye, the Secretary General, Freddy Mutanguha, the vice president, Eugene Gashugi and Emmanuel Nsengiyumva, in charge of programmes asked court to grant them bail.

They said they would provide all relevant information to the Prosecution so that the truth about survivors’ funds is known.

The Prosecution also wants IBUKA officials to explain how the money given to them by UNESCO in 2007 to rehabilitate Genocide sites was used.

Last week, jailed officials demanded that IBUKA president, Theodore Simburudari be produced before court, saying he is party to the case against them.

IBUKA is an umbrella organization of Genocide survivors’ association and was created in 1995 in order to address issues of justice, memory, social and economic problems faced by survivors.

Ends