The Prosecution has frozen local bank accounts belonging to Assinapol Rwigara, the man whose construction site collapsed over a month ago killing three people and injuring others. In an August 1 letter, the Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga instructed Afour local commercial banks to freeze all accounts owned by the wanted businessman. “We are pleased to ask you to freeze all bank accounts belonging to Assinapol Rwigara and all other accounts of companies over which he control such as Premier Tobacco, Rwigara Assinapol M & BICO, Magasin Premier Star, and others,” reads part of the letter referenced number 01125/D11/A/PGR/CAB. Ngoga added in the letter: “You are hereby asked to comply as soon as you receive this letter.” The Prosecutor General said the move was aimed at facilitating investigations into the issue. The letter was copied to the Police Commissioner General and the head of the prosecution in police. Meanwhile police has also cordoned off the premises of Rwigara’s aforementioned factories. Police sources said the action was taken after a tip off that the city tycoon could be hiding in one of those premises. The operation was mounted on Friday by uniformed police personnel. Work at all the three factories has since stopped. However both actions have been greeted with protest from some people. Pastor Munyandamutsa, Rwigara’s elder brother and lawyer said that the closed factories and bank accounts are jointly owned by between Rwigara and other people. “There are other shareholders that have been affected by that decision,” he told The New Times. Munyandamutsa also said that there might be another reason behind Rwigara’s case. “I think there are other underlying reasons. All businesses are paralysed, we have nothing to do. Some of the closed companies don’t belong to Rwigara alone.” Rwigara escaped arrest a week ago at Kabusunzi when six policemen narrowly missed him. The policemen have since been locked up for failing the mission. The development followed a police search of Rwigara’s home in Kiyovu, an upscale Kigali suburb, according to Munyandamutsa. He said Police also interrogated him, Rwigara’s wife and driver. Police say it wants Rwigara answer questions related to his ill-fated construction in Kigali. Meanwhile two engineers – one for Nyarugenge District and another for the company that was constructing the building, Cogeco – who were arrested following the disaster were recently granted bail.
