Why vlogger Fatakumavuta’s hearing has been postponed

Nyarugenge Intermediate Court has postponed the substantive hearing in the case of Jean-Bosco Sengabo, popularly known as Fatakumavuta, to May 15. The decision was made during the court session held on April 24. Multiple reasons were given for the delay. The presiding judge explained that the case requires a full bench of three judges. However, due to work-related constraints, the bench was incomplete on the scheduled date, prompting a postponement. ALSO READ: Court upholds detention of vlogger Fatakumavuta Sengabo’s legal representative, Jean-Pierre Fatikaramu, also requested the postponement, arguing that he had not yet met with his client in person due to health-related restrictions at the Nyarugenge correctional facility. Fatikaramu said that he had not been granted full access to the case documents available in the court system. The court acknowledged these arguments and granted the postponement. Sengabo appeared virtually and followed the proceedings online. He faces three charges including divisionism and dissemination of false information. Sengabo was who was arrested on October 18, 2024 has remained in detention since then. On November 25, Nyarugenge Intermediate Court denied him bail, upholding an earlier decision by Kicukiro Primary Court. ALSO READ: Vlogger Fatakumavuta charged with six counts In a previous hearing on pre-trial detention, Sengabo faced six charges including defamation, drug abuse, cyber threats, and spreading false information. According to prosecutors, several public figures filed complaints with Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), including musicians Benjamin Mugisha (The Ben) and Medard Jobert Ngabo (Meddy), as well as music promoter Alex Muyoboke. They accused Sengabo of spreading false information and violating their privacy. The prosecution also said that Sengabo had previously been warned by RIB to cease such activities but allegedly ignored the warnings and failed to respond to official summons. Upon his arrest, he reportedly tested positive for cannabis abuse. In his defense, during the pre-trial hearings, Sengabo maintained that his content was factual and backed by evidence. He cited an instance in which he accurately reported on a celebrity’s unpaid rent. He also claimed that a public figure once sought negative publicity from him to increase their popularity. Regarding the drug abuse charges, he questioned the accuracy of the test results and called for an independent review.

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Why vlogger Fatakumavuta’s hearing has been postponed