Kicukiro Primary Court on Thursday, December 11, heard bail applications from three more suspects in connection with the leaked explicit video involving musician Yampano and his girlfriend. The three suspects—Cyprien Uzabakiriho known as Djihad, Nestor Kwizera alias Nesta Nestor, and François-Xavier Ishimwe—face charges of participating in the publication of pornographic material through a computer or computer system. ALSO READ: Yampano video leak suspects seek bail The hearing is part of a larger case that also involves two key suspects—Patrick Ishimwe widely known (Pazzo Man) and John Kalisa (K John)—whose bail ruling was expected to take place on the same day before the court postponed it to December 17. The initial hearing of November 27 was postponed to December 4, when the court deferred the bail ruling to December 11. According to prosecutors, Djihad accessed the leaked video and shared it in a WhatsApp group he created, which has over 980 members and was allegedly designed for sharing sexual content. A cyber forensic report revealed that the group contains over 50 other pornographic materials. Prosecutors further allege that Djihad promoted the video through a recorded video shared on YouTube, in which he encouraged people to join the WhatsApp group to access the content. Witness Eric Semuhungu testified before the court that he saw a video bearing Djihad's name on a friend's WhatsApp status. Regarding Ishimwe, prosecutors claimed that he initially demanded Rwf200 to share the video, though he later returned the money to the sender, saying he didn't want his number blocked. Meanwhile, Kwizera is accused of sharing the video with K John. Prosecutors also stated that Kwizera was a member of a different WhatsApp group sharing pornographic content, and that investigators found over 200 pornographic videos on his phone at the time of his arrest. The prosecution requested remand for all three suspects, arguing that the charges carry sentences exceeding two years and that detention would prevent further circulation of the material and pose a threat of escaping the country. All three suspects pleaded not guilty. While admitting the video was on his phone, Djihad claimed it downloaded automatically when shared in the WhatsApp group without his consent. He denied sharing it on social media, stating he only showed it to his cameraman to plan a recorded video discussing Yampano's situation. He argued that the WhatsApp group was created for him to connect with fans daily, and not to share pornographic content. Djihad’s lawyer contended that the cyber report presents no evidence of Djihad sharing the videos anywhere. The lawyer also noted that the YouTuber traveled outside the country during the period when the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) contacted him for investigations, arguing that if he intended to flee, he would have done so then. Appearing without legal representation, Ishimwe acknowledged having the video on his phone but claimed he didn't know how it got there. He said he had lent his phone to a friend for work purposes at the time the video was shared and the money requests were made (Rwf100 and Rwf200 according to the cyber forensic reports). Kwizera admitted to sharing the video with two friends that include K. John, who reached out to him requesting for it but said he requested it from a friend out of curiosity, several months after its initial circulation. He argued that, since the video was widespread by the time he shared it with his friends, his actions should not be considered promotion. His lawyer added that Kwizera accessed the video like any other social media user who found it on the internet, placing blame for the leak on the victim, Yampano. All three suspects have requested bail pending trial, with the court expected to rule on their applications on December 17.
