The military tribunal in Kigali on Wednesday, August 13, began hearing a case involving 28 people, including officers both in Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS).
The case that went underway in the Nyamirambo-based tribunal also included some 23 civilians and all suspects face charges related to an illegal purchase of airline tickets using the account of the Ministry of Defence.
ALSO READ: Two RDF officers, 20 civilians arrested over misuse of public funds
The case, which was for the most part heard in camera at the request of the military prosecution on Wednesday, involves RDF officers Capt. Peninah Mutoni, Capt Peninah Umurungi and another male officer, RCS officers CSP Hillary Sengabo and CSP Olive Mukantabana and several civilians, among them sports journalists Reagan 'Rugaju' Ndayishimiye; and Ricard Ndayishimiye.
According to military prosecutors, two RDF officers, and the RCS officers are suspected of conspiring with Mutoni in issuing and using unauthorised documents and misappropriation of public funds.
Among the suspects include two sports journalists Reagan ‘Rugaju’ Ndayishimiye of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency and Ricard Ishimwe of SK FM.
Other civilians include Atha Biganiro, a former sports journalist and Frank Mugisha, who is popularly known as ‘Janguani’ a self-proclaimed spokesperson of supporters of military football club, APR FC.
Two civilians are accused of complicity in misappropriating public funds, while one defendant, a RwandAir employee named Gerald Cyaruhinda, is charged with forging documents.
The remaining civilians face charges of receiving unauthorized documents, misappropriating public funds, forgery and the use of forged documents.
All the 28 defendants are in detention.
All defendants, except Mutoni who had stepped out the courtroom before making any plea, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the opening session, Mutoni and her lawyer objected to proceeding. Her lawyer argued that she only received the file at 8pm on Tuesday, while he received it on the day of the hearing, leaving no time to prepare her defence.
The lawyer also cited Mutoni’s pregnancy and poor health as grounds to postpone the hearing, adding she had a pre-arranged medical appointment on Wednesday.
The prosecution argued that Mutoni’s condition should not delay the trial for the remaining 27 defendants. The judge upheld the objection on medical grounds, ordering that she be taken to hospital and return to court on August 18, hence ruling that the proceedings continue in her absence.
At the onset, the military prosecution requested that the case be heard behind closed doors, arguing that the charges against the suspects involve the Ministry of Defence and could endanger national security.
Defence lawyers countered that the trial should be held in public, except for the military-specific elements, stressing that the case concerns public funds and therefore it is of public interest.
However, the presiding judge ruled in favour of prosecution, to hold the trial I. camera and details from the rest of the proceedings were yet to be divulged by the time of publication.
On August 5, RDF announced the arrest of two of its officers and 20 civilians in connection with the alleged misuse of public funds. In a statement, the military said the suspects were being detained as the Military Prosecution pursued charges.
"The charges stem from the illegal purchase of airline tickets using funds from the Ministry of Defence account,” the statement read, noting that under the law, civilians who commit crimes in collaboration with military personnel are prosecuted by the Military Prosecution and tried in Military Courts.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the case could have stemmed from trips made out of the country when APR FC, the champions in the local league, travelled out of the country for one of the games in continental competitions.