Businessman arrested in Gasabo tender scam

KIGALI - Following the recent arrest of four officials of Gasabo district for allegedly awarding a tender illegally, businessman Eugene Bavukiyehe has been arrested in relation to the same case. The businessman was arrested in Nyabugogo following a tip-off, a source told The New Times yesterday. It was alleged that he had fled to Kenya through Uganda shortly after the arrest of the Gasabo officials. The suspect later made his way back to Rwanda secretly to handle unfinished business but was arrested before he could escape again. Among other charges, the Gasabo officials are accused of awarding a tender to one family-owned company, BAN. Bavukiyehe, who owns BAN, is also accused of fronting BAN Transporters and BAN Constructor which are non-existing. The Deputy Prosecutor General, Alphonse Hitiyaremye confirmed the development when contacted yesterday. “He is the key suspect and he had tried to escape. He has useful information and he is being interrogated,” Hitiyaremye said. Hitiyaremye said investigations so far conducted indicate that BAN Constructor and BAN Transporter are not registered with the Registrar of Companies at Rwanda Development Board (RDB). He revealed that BAN is owned by Bavukiyehe and his wife Chantal Nisegwa. “Of course, they have been doing it with the full knowledge of Gasabo officials and that is why they are in jail,” Hitiyaremye added. Gasabo District has not had an Executive Secretary for over a month since Felix Kabandana was suspended for illegally awarding several tenders. The tenders led to the district losing a whooping Rwf 222 million. Kabandana is accused together with four members of the district Procurement Committee; Amandin Musirikare Mihigo, Ferdinand Rwigyema, Germain Habineza and Georgette Umubyeyi, all of them are currently in detention. Ends

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Businessman arrested in Gasabo tender scam