Prosecution seeks maximum sentence for Turatsinze

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, CyrilleTuratsinze, may spend seven years in jail and pay a fine of Rwf20 million,if found guilty of soliciting a bribe.During the court hearing yesterday, after presenting its evidence,prosecution sought the maximum sentence for Turastinze and hisaccomplice Rwego Harelimana Rene who are charged with soliciting abribe of Rwf2 million from a Kigali business man in exchange forwinning a tender to supply IT equipment to the Ministry of LocalGovernment.Prosecutor Rugambwa Ndibwami, on the second day of the hearing, toldthe Intermediate Court of Nyarugenge, that Turatsinze, as a seniorperson in the Ministry had breached the law and should be punishedaccording to article 635 of the new penal code.Article 635 states that ‘any person who explicitly or implicitlydemands or receives gifts or any other illegal advantage or accepts itas a promise in order to accomplish an illegal act or refrain fromcarrying out his/or her duties, shall be liable to a term ofimprisonment of more than five years to seven years and a fine of twoto ten times the value of illegal advantage demanded”.Turatsinze was arrested on July 2, after police trailed and caught hisaccomplice, Rwego receiving part of the bribe from the businessman,Jerome Nshimiyimana.Rwego is alleged to have been working on behalf of Turatsinze.Both the accused pleaded not guilty and requested thepresiding judge, Maliciane Mukagasana to acquit them, adding thatprosecution’s evidence is not substantial.During the hearing, prosecution presented exhibits which includedvoice recordings of conversations the businessman allegedly had withTuratsinze, as well as those between Rwego and the businessman.Other exhibits include serial numbers of the money the businessmanallegedly gave to Rwego to deliver to Turatsinze and testimony made byNshimiyimana, the businessman.“All the evidence produced in court doesn’t prove that my clientactually committed the crime he is accused of,” Turatsinze’s lawyer,Christopher Niyomugabo, insisted.On Day 1 of the hearing, the recording was played in court andTurastinze was heard telling the businessman that he would sendsomeone to ‘collect something’.However, the ‘something’ was not identified.Turatsinze’s lawyer maintained that the recording does not prove thathis client actually committed the crime which he is being charged of.“I request that court acquits my client because prosecution’sevidence is not credible to prove my client guilty,” Niyomugabo added.On his part, Rwego, the accomplice, said that the recording of theconversations was illegal and should not be considered as evidence incourt.Rwego argued that, any recording of conversations should beauthorised, in writing, by the Prosecutor General and addressed to theprosecutor handling the case, if it is to be used as evidence incourt.Police planted a recording device in the businessman’s car, capturingthe conversations he had with Rwego.Rwego was arrested on July 20.He was found with Rwf490, 000, given to him by Nshimiyimana, but Rwegomaintains the money was for a laptop he was purchasing.Meanwhile, the Minister of Local Government, James Masoni, said it wasshocking and regrettable that a senior person in the Ministry issuspected to have committed such a crime.“If it turns out to be true, it would be very unfortunate especiallyconsidering that the Ministry of Local Government is in charge ofpromoting good governance,” Musoni said.He added that he trusts the Justice system will get to the bottom of the matter.The ruling is set for August 6.

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Prosecution seeks maximum sentence for Turatsinze