KARONGI — Prosecution at Karongi Intermediate Court, yesterday, prayed for a 10-year jail term for Jean Ndimubahire, the former mayor of Rutsiro district for his involvement in swindling public funds.

Prosecution, led by Venuste Minani, says for making forged documents and using them to justify false expenditure, Ndimubahire deserves 8 and 2 years respectively.

"We did our investigations thoroughly and we find it a suitable punishment for Ndimubahire and his accomplice to serve the jail sentences,” Minani said.

Ndimubahire is co-accused with Jean Pierre Nsabimana, the former Executive Secretary of the National Youth Council at the district in the mismanagement over Rwf3.5million.

Last month, Nsabimana confessed to committing the crime in June 2007, leaving Ndimubahire with extra charges of failing to account for Rwf125, 000 reportedly provided for transport.

During the last hearing yesterday, Ndimubahire insisted he never had any involvement.

Flanked by his wife and lawyer Felicien Bimenyimana, he looked calm and unmoved before a fully packed courtroom.
The money, meant to conduct a 2-day youth seminar, was provided by the Public Health Program, a Swiss project that operates in both Rutsiro and Karongi districts.
Presiding judge Adolph Udahemuka set the ruling on for April 15.

Meanwhile, prosecution has also launched investigations into reports that Ndimubahire was behind the false rape charges against a police officer who was acquitted earlier this month.

It is alleged that charges against Gaspard Rwegeranya were framed after he had unearthed a corruption scam.

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