The Nyarugenge Primary Court on Monday heard the case of popular Rwandan DJ Arnaud De Boucher Shema, widely known as DJ Toxxyk, who is facing four criminal charges, two of which he admitted before the court.

Shema is accused of causing a road accident resulting in death (manslaughter), fleeing the scene after the accident, drug-related offences, and refusing to submit to a breathalyser test.

During the hearing, the judge read out all four charges. Shema pleaded guilty to manslaughter and fleeing the scene of the accident, while denying the remaining charges related to drugs use and refusal to undergo an alcohol test.

Nature of the case

According to prosecutors, Shema committed the alleged offences on December 21, at around 4:00 a.m., when he struck and killed Police officer named Fred Mushabe, who was on duty directing traffic along Sopetrade Road, where construction works were ongoing.

The prosecution added that after hitting the officer, Shema abandoned the vehicle near ONOMO Hotel, and fled the scene.

Prosecutors further stated that earlier that night, the defendant had been at Kigali Universal Bar, with video footage placing him there shortly before the accident.

They also said in court that a search conducted at his residence led to the discovery of two grams of hybrid cannabis.

The prosecution requested the court to remand the accused pending trial, citing ongoing investigations, the risk of evading justice, and the seriousness of the charges against him.

Defence arguments

In his defence, Shema told the court that he dozed off while driving, lost control of the vehicle, hit a pavement , and was unable to regain control, which led to the fatal accident.

He admitted to fleeing the scene but said he did so out of fear and shock. He told the court that he travelled to Karongi District to seek advice from a friend, whom he said later contacted the authorities.

"I was afraid after the accident,” he said, adding that the incident traumatized him.

Regarding the drug-related charge, the accused denied possession or use of cannabis, arguing that he did not have access to his house at the time of the alleged search. He claimed that after his arrest, he was taken to his home three days later, where the drugs were allegedly found, despite him having no access to the premises.

He further alleged that investigators made him sign statements without allowing him sufficient time to read them, claiming that some of the recorded statements did not reflect what he actually said.

His defence team, composed of two lawyers, argued that the accident was unintentional and similar to other road accidents that occur without criminal intent.

They also challenged the legality of the drug charges, cast doubt on time of the search and how cannabis could be found in a house the accused had no access to.

On the allegation of driving under the influence, the defence said the accused was tested several times but no results were presented to court. They argued that without laboratory results, there was no reason to assume that Shema was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

The lawyers also contested the charge of refusing to submit to a breathalyser test, saying the accused had been in custody for several days without any alcohol test being conducted.

They further argued that being seen in a bar does not automatically prove intoxication at the time of the accident, stressing that courts should rely on evidence rather than assumptions.

The court is expected to deliver its ruling on the bail request on January 21.