Bail hearing for IPRC-Kigali officials adjourned to November 15

The Kicukiro primary court has postponed, for the second time, the bail hearing of Diogene Mulindahabi, the principal of the IPRC Kigali campus, and 19 other suspects to November 15. The defendants are being prosecuted over several charges related to misuse of public funds at IPRC Kigali Campus. During the bail hearing that took place on Thursday, November 10, the presiding judge ruled to adjourn the hearing to allow the new defendants to access the full dossier and get ready before the beginning of the trial. Initially, the first group of suspects comprised 12 people who were supposed to seek bail on Thursday, November 10. However, there are eight new suspects who were arrested later during the investigation and the court decided to combine the two dossiers. Around 09:30 a.m. the case was mentioned and the judge asked the new suspects if they have lawyers or will defend themselves. It turned out that some have them while others did not due to different reasons. The lawyers representing the new suspects requested to postpone the hearing for them to prepare for the trial arguing that some of them were not aware of today’s hearing among other reasons. The prosecution was given time to assess the request and later agreed to it arguing that it’s their right to access their dossiers as well as have lawyers and prepare for trial. However, on behalf of the first group, lawyer Paulin Murera disagreed with the postponement of the trial saying that, for them, they are ready for the trial explaining concerns that their clients risk spending more time in custody. In addition, some requested the separation of the dossiers to be able to allow the first group to seek bail today. However, one of the lawyers called Irene Bayisabe who is defending the first group of suspects agreed with the adjournment arguing that since the two dossiers have been combined, they also need time to read the new one and prepare for the hearing again. Following the discussions, the presiding judge ruled to postpone the hearing to next week to give them time to get ready. According to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), the alleged crimes they are being accused of include the use of forged documents, embezzlement, and theft. The suspects were arrested in different periods and the alleged crimes resulted in a two-week temporary closure of the campus premises amid investigations, according to a statement released by the Education Ministry on Sunday, October 23. The premise was re-opened on November 7 as investigation continues.

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Bail hearing for IPRC-Kigali officials adjourned to November 15