The High Court in Nyamirambo on Monday, June 26 rejected the appeal of Emmanuel Nibishaka, the former Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), and upheld his five-year prison sentence. In addition to the sentence, Nibishaka was also fined Rwf 3 million.

On December 14, last year, the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court found Nibishaka guilty of fraud and using forged documents. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with half of the sentence to be served behind bars and the other half suspended.

The court also ordered Nibishaka to reimburse the victims for the funds he obtained through fraudulent means and compensate them for any damages incurred.

ALSO READ: RGB boss gets five-year jail term, half of it suspended

However, Nibishaka appealed the decision and requested a shorter sentence with a suspension. In the previous court proceedings, Nibishaka admitted to all charges and expressed a desire to repay the victims if given the opportunity.

ALSO READ: How RGB boss Nibishaka ‘defrauded’ alleged victims

During the substantive hearing, the prosecution, represented by prosecutor Charles Kayove, presented evidence that Nibishaka collected approximately Rwf24,050,988 (equivalent to $22,100 at the time) from multiple individuals, promising to assist them in obtaining visas for studying in the United States. Nibishaka was also found guilty of forging invitations to meetings in the US and sending emails using another person's account.