The Nyarugenge Intermediate Court has postponed the bail hearing appeal in the case of the former Director General of the Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA), Jean Bosco Harelimana, and his co-accused to November 6. The case also involves Claver Hakizimana, the procurement officer at RCA, and Liliane Gahongayire, a former logistics officer at the agency. The prosecution lodged an appeal challenging the decision of Nyarugenge Primary Court to grant bail to the trio. They are facing charges related to the violation of public tender procedures and the misuse of public resources. ALSO READ: Court grants bail to former Rwanda cooperatives agency boss, co-accused On October 4, while delivering the bail ruling, the presiding judge at the lower court emphasised that the investigation had generated sufficient evidence confirming suspicions of conspiracy to misuse public resources by Harelimana and Hakizimana. However, they were granted bail on the condition that they do not leave Kigali for two months. Furthermore, they are obligated to report to the prosecution every Friday throughout this period. ALSO READ: Former cooperative boss arraigned, denies all charges This decision was made based on several reasons, including the principle of allowing suspects to be prosecuted outside of jail and the progress that has been achieved in the case so far, among other factors. Furthermore, the presiding judge emphasised that there are no reasonable grounds to suspect that Harelimana committed both crimes of influence peddling and favoritism. The judge used the same grounds to grant bail to Gahongayire who is being charged on allegations of awarding unjustified advantages. ALSO READ: Former cooperative boss arraigned, denies all charges During a hearing that was held in September, the prosecution said that Harelimana and Hakizimana allegedly awarded a tender to a company that submitted a higher bid, despite the existence of other companies offering lower bids. Furthermore, they are accused of approving additional items and changes in prices within the tender without adhering to the established tender committee procedures. The prosecution pointed out that those changes increased the initial tender amount from Rwf 4 million to Rwf 11 million. ALSO READ: Former cooperatives agency boss arrested On Harelimana, it was highlighted that there are allegations of favoritism against him. The allegations are supported by the testimony of a former colleague, as well as a leaked audio. In the audio, he was heard admitting to having the authority hire or fire individuals at his preference, among other concerning statements. In the Hakizimana case, the prosecution said that besides approving the tender, both Hakizimana and Gahongayire also agreed to the receipt of items with specifications that differed from the contract. For example, it was stated that they received chairs made from a different type of wood than what was originally specified in the contract. All of them pleaded not guilty.
