Former Rubavu procurement officials remanded in custody

Seven members of Rubavu District procurement committee, including ex-district executive secretary Christopher Kalisa, who are accused of flouting tendering procedures in the privatisation of a modern market in the district, have been remanded in custody by Rubavu Intermediate Court. The suspects, who were arrested last month, had appeared for hearing of their bail application on Friday when prosecution led by Jean Cobin Habimana prayed court to remand them for 30 days pending further investigations. The suspects include, Emmanuel Senzoga, the head of the committee, Basile Tuyisenge, Aimable Ndahayo, one Diogene, Gerard Mbarushimana, Beatha Mugiraneza and Justin Shema. Prosecution charges that the suspects collaborated in illegal awarding of the tender in the privatisation of Rubavu modern market last year. Prosecution says there was corruption involved in the awarding of the tender to ABBA Ltd.‘’The tender was awarded in questionable circumstances on 20 October 2014 at a cost of Rwf1,280,000,000,’’ prosecutor Habimana said. However, the defence lawyer, Thadee Barisebya, prayed court to release the suspects on bail which court rejected. ‘’According to the law, the responsibility of privatising the market lies with the executive committee; my clients were only involved in analysing bids of interested buyers and providing advice,’’ the lawyer said. In denying the suspects bail, presiding judge Emmanuel Rwenyaguza, said that the suspects knowingly breached the right procedures in the sale of the market. Court also concurred with the prosecution that the suspects could either flee or interfere with investigations into the case once granted bail. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Former Rubavu procurement officials remanded in custody