Nyarugenge Primary Court has denied bail to Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) president Fabrice Shema and ordered his provisional detention for 30 days over allegations of obtaining property through fraud and issuing two bouncing cheques worth a combined $600,000 (about Rwf883.5 million). The decision was delivered on September 2. In its ruling, the court said there were strong grounds to suspect Shema of the alleged offences, which include issuing a bouncing cheque and obtaining another person’s property through fraud. Shema had appeared before the court on August 26, for his bail hearing. The case The charges stem from a business transaction between Africa Medical Supplier, a company represented by Shema, and ABZL International General Trading LLC, a company based in the United Arab Emirates. According to prosecution, the two companies entered into agreements on January 23, 2024, valued at approximately €1.9 million. Shema’s company was expected to make the required payments within 60 days. Prosecution told the court that the agreements were not fulfilled, resulting in a payment dispute and the subsequent issuance of two cheques. The cheques were drawn on an I&M Bank account belonging to Africa Medical Supplier. Prosecutors said the bank informed investigators that the account held only slightly more than $1,000 at the time inquiries were made. Under Rwanda’s 2021 law, knowingly issuing a bouncing cheque constitutes an offence. A person convicted of issuing a bouncing cheque faces between two and five years in prison and a fine ranging from five to 10 times the amount stated on the cheque. Prosecutors asked the court to order Shema’s provisional detention for 30 days, arguing that he could evade justice or interfere with the ongoing investigation if released. Shema denies allegations During the bail hearing which took place last month, Shema denied the allegations. He said Africa Medical Supplier had maintained a business relationship with ABZL and had already made substantial payments to the company. Shema told the court that his company paid $400,000 in May 2024 through First Abu Dhabi Bank, in accordance with their agreement. He said a second payment of $400,000 was made in December 2024 but was not received because the account provided by ABZL had developed a problem. According to Shema, the agreement required ABZL to provide an alternative bank account if the original account could not receive the payment. “We asked them to amend the agreement and give us another account. While we were discussing that, I gave them a cheque without a date,” he told the court. Shema said disagreements later emerged among ABZL shareholders over which account should be used to receive the payment. He further alleged that one of the shareholders altered some details on the cheque. His lawyer told the court that the alleged unauthorised changes were among the reasons I&M Bank rejected the cheques. Shema also told the court that he remained willing to settle the outstanding amount. “The willingness to pay is there; it can be done in one hour,” he said.
