Suspects in roads scam to appear in court today

NYARUGENGE - Government officials accused of conspiring with the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Vincent Gatwabuyege, to steal public funds will appear in court today. The officials allegedly connived with Gatwabuyege – now in jail – to exonerate STRABAG, a road-construction company, from paying a fine imposed against them by the government. Officials to appear in court include Faustin Gacinya, Jean Ngarambe, John Bosco Habyarimana, and Eliab Ngarambe. They will appear in Gasabo Court of High Instance. A source from Gasabo Court revealed that the four are also accused of conspiring with Gatwabuyege to misappropriate about Rwf1.7billion. Gatwabuyege who was arrested in December last year, is accused of interference in the tendering processes to illegally award tenders to his accomplices at inflated rates leading to further government loss. Meanwhile, the Nyarugenge Court of Higher Instance is expected today to have the final word on the provisional release application by Dr. Louis Munyakazi, the Director General of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR). Munyakazi was arrested last year in connection with corruption allegations. According to the spokesperson of the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA), Augustin Nkusi, Munyakazi is accused of offering tenders illegally, embezzlement of public funds and abuse of office. The date for hearing Munyakazi’s case is set for Wednesday March 5 in the High Court. A reliable source from the office of Prosecutor General alleges that Munyakazi reportedly awarded stationary tender to his brother, Jean Bosco Munyakazi in 2007. A source who preferred anonymity because he doesn’t speak on behalf of Prosecution said in 2007, Munyakazi awarded a tender of approximately Rwf3million to a company called Technique Vente Service (TVS) reportedly owned by his brother to compile, bind and print brochures. Munyakazi was supposed to supply the brochures at a Government retreat that was held at Hotel Akagera that same year. Ends