Local Government PS appears before court

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Cyrille Turatsinze, yesterday made his initial appearance before the Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge to answer corruption related charges.Turatsinze was arrested on July 21, for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rwf2 million from a businessman only identified as Nshimiyimana, whom he allegedly helped to win a tender to supply the ministry with IT equipment.He was arraigned in court together with his co-accused, RwegoHarelimana, who implicated him after the latter was caught red-handed with Rwf500, 000.However, after the presiding judge, Maliciane Mukagasana, read the duo’s charge sheet, and asked them if they were ready for the trial to commence, both defendants said they were not ready.Their lawyers told court that their clients didn’t get enough time to read their dossier and to prepare themselves against the charges.“Our client didn’t receive the charge sheet in time; we need more time to read it thoroughly and prepare for defence,” ChristopherNiyomugabo, one of Turatsinze’s lawyers, said.Mukagasana adjourned the case to Thursday.Niyomugabo welcomed the court’s decision, saying that it is the right of the defendants to stand the trial when they are ready to defend themselves.“Prosecution rushed the case and our client got no time to read his dossier; but the time they gave us is enough for us to get prepared,”Niyomugabo said on the sideline.

National

Local Government PS appears before court