Vlogger Jean Bosco Sengabo, commonly known as Fatakumavuta, appeared in court on Tuesday, November 4, as prosecutors laid out charges against him in relation to his online content. According to the prosecution, several public figures including musicians Ben Mugisha (The Ben), Medard Ngabo (Meddie), and music promoter Alex Muyoboke, have complained to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) about Sebagabo’s tendency of spreading false information about them and publicising their private lives. ALSO READ: Cyberstalking: What you need to know Court heard that RIB previously warned Sengabo to change his ways but he ignored the warnings. Prosecutors claimed that he went on to declare that he would not respond to RIB’s summons. The 37-year-old former radio presenter, now a YouTuber, faces six charges. They include spreading false information, defamation, drug abuse, and use of cyber threats. The prosecutors noted that Sengabo was found to have significant amounts of cannabis in his blood upon his arrest. In his defence, the vlogger accused RIB of personally targeting him. He claimed, for example, that the complaints by the public figures in question only reached RIB three days before his arrest, on October 18, except for the complaint of The Ben. Here, he argued that RIB acted hastily to arrest him without summoning him to talk to him first, indicating a personal bias. Sengabo also alleged that he suffered mistreatment during his detention. He claimed, for example, that he was made to spend a night in a cell with water on the floor after his arrest. He insisted that his content is factual, citing a number of examples. For instance, he argued that one of the celebrities that he reported about for failing to pay rent had indeed failed to pay it. Sengabo also alleged that there is a public figure who actually requested negative publicity from him to boost his popularity. On the drug-related charges, the vlogger questioned the reliability of the tests conducted, requesting independent re-testing.
