Prosecution yesterday asked the High Court to hand singer Kizito Mihigo a life sentence for crimes linked to terrorism, treason and murder, among others. The same sentence was sought for former Amazing Grace Radio journalist Cassien Ntamuhanga. Mihigo entered a guilty plea on all charges, while Ntamuhanga denied all charges against him. They are standing trial alongside Jean-Paul Dukuzumuremyi, a demobilised soldier, and a one Agnès Niyibizi, both of whom deny the charges. “All suspects committed the crimes they stand accused of, including formation of a criminal gang, conspiracy against the established government or the President of the Republic and complicity in a terrorist act. Mihigo and Ntamuhanga particularly committed the crime of conspiracy to murder,” Prosecutor Boniface Budengeri told the court. “Since Mihigo and Ntamuhanga are accused of murder, a crime whose sentence attracts the maximum penalty, we pray for a life sentence for each of them.” For Dukuzumuremyi, prosecutors requested 50 years in jail on grounds that he had previously committed similar crimes, which amounts to recidivism, while a 25-year sentence was proposed for Niyibizi, the only female among the accused. Niyibizi is accused of being the treasurer for a Kigali-based terror cell to which all the accused are said to have subscribed. Responding to accusations Following the prosecution’s submissions, the accused were asked to respond. Mihigo sought forgiveness for his deeds, while the rest of the suspects maintained that they were innocent of all the charges. The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on February 27. During the trial, Mihigo fired his lawyers on grounds that they were maintaining his innocence yet it wasn’t his approved defence. He pleaded guilty to all charges and also detailed the alleged circumstances under which he committed the crimes. Prosecution alleged that in WhatsApp and Skype (social media) conversations between Mihigo and Callixte Nsabimana, an RNC (Rwanda National Congress) member, the two discussed plans of overthrowing the government by use of violence. According to prosecutors, they plotted to assassinate a number of top government and security officials. Prosecution also alleged that Mihigo had agreed to mobilise youth in the country and form a group to be called “New Generation for Revolution” that would operate from Tanzania, while he was to fly to Europe where he would make a declaration calling for an uprising in Rwanda. The four were arrested in April.
