The verdict of the case involving two editors of the so-called Rwanda Independent Media Group (Rimeg) and businessman Tribert Rujugiro is due for February 8.

Charles Kabonero and Didace Gasana, the Rimeg Managing Director and Newsline editor respectively, are facing charges of defamation. The case is before the Nyarugenge Lower Instance Court.

The two scribes appeared for the second time on Tuesday following their application for re-trial. They were dragged to court by Rujugiro after publishing an article in the Newsline, one of Rimeg’s now no more newspapers, which alleged that the businessman had evaded taxes in South Africa.On Tuesday, Gasana and their lawyer Juvenal Uwimana, asked court to adjourn the case to enable the lawyer study the file in detail. It was the first time the accused had a lawyer in court.

However, the presiding judge, Joseph Robert Kabeja, turned down the request saying that court could not adjourn the same case more than thrice.

"We cannot continue like this. We have adjourned the case more than three times to allow the accused get a lawyer. Those who are interested can continue and those who are not ready for proceedings can leave,” the judge ruled.

Uwimana said that one of his clients, Kabonero, could not appear in court because he was sick.

Prosecutor Gallican Rukaka represented the State.
Rujugiro is demanding $150,000 (about Frw75 million) in reparations from the journalists, and Frw15m in legal expenses.
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