Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has announced that it arrested five individuals over alleged abuse of the national currency. ALSO READ: RIB arrests man over ‘posing as prophet, extorting people’ In a statement released following the arrests, RIB officials said the suspects were apprehended between December 17 and 18. They include Heradi Sefu Josue, popularly known as Prophet Joshua, Winny Mbabazi, Deborah Niyigena, Alice Murekatete, and Linda Umutesi. “They are being investigated for the offence of abusing the national currency,” RIB's statement read, adding that “Investigations show that the suspects used Rwandan banknotes to decorate cakes and flowers at different events and then promoted these decorations on their social media accounts, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.” The statement noted that the alleged offence falls under Article 221 of the law governing crimes and penalties in general, which criminalises the abuse or degradation of the national currency. “If found guilty by the court, the offence carries a prison sentence of not less than one year and not more than two years, as well as a fine ranging from Rwf1 million to Rwf3 million,” the bureau said. In addition, RIB officials disclosed that Prophet Joshua is also under investigation for failure to explain the source of his wealth. The offence of failure to explain the source of wealth is provided for under Article 9 of the law on fighting corruption. It is punishable by imprisonment of not less than seven years and not more than ten years, and a fine equivalent to three to five times the value of the property whose lawful source cannot be justified. ALSO READ: How public officials' asset declaration can escalate into a RIB investigation RIB officials further reminded the public that it has repeatedly warned against practices that undermine the dignity and value of the national currency. “RIB warns anyone involved in activities that abuse or degrade the national currency, whether through decoration, adorning flowers or cakes, entertainment or any other use to stop immediately, as such acts constitute criminal offences punishable by law.”
