Former ADEPR head released on bail

The High Court on Friday granted bail to Bishop Jean Sibomana, the embattled former legal representative of the Pentecostal Church in Rwanda (ADEPR). Sibomana is accused of misappropriating over Rwf2 billion belonging to the church between 2015 and 2017. Court ruled that through valid medical reports, the 64 year old evangelist and his lawyer, Jean-Claude Abayo, have satisfied court that the defendant deserved to be awarded bail because of the different ailments that could be worsened by his continued stay in prison. The judge ordered for his immediate release. The presiding judge said that even though the charges against him are on conviction punishable with a prison sentence of more than five years, court considered that the law provides for bail in case the defendant’s life is found to be threatened by prison conditions. However, the judge ordered him to surrender to prosecution his passport and identity card before being released adding that he should report to prosecution every Monday of the week. Last month, the court also released on bail Tom Rwagasana, a deputy representative of the ADEPR, a co-accused of Bishop Sibomana. The aging cleric had been remanded for 30 days to allow for more investigations before the case could begin in substance, but he appealed against the decision. Among other suspects in the same case who are in detention include Theophile Sindayigaya, senior spokesperson in charge of economy, Valens Gasana the executive treasurer, Christine Mutuyemariya, the chief finance officer, Pastor Salton Niyitanga, a secretary in Rwagasana’s office and Pastor Leonard Sebagabo, Secretary General of ADEPR. Prosecution had earlier stated that investigations were still going on as they had requested for more time due to the fact that a company contracted to make a forensic audit of the church was yet to submit their report. On May 30, 2017 ADEPR elected a new five-person Executive Bureau with Reverend Ephraim Karuranga as the head, alongside Aurelie Umuhoza who will serve as the senior spokesperson in charge of finance and Patrick Nsengiyumva was appointed as new executive secretary, among others. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Former ADEPR head released on bail