GATSIBO — Police in Kiramuruzi are holding the president of a traditional court [Gacaca] and a Cell official allegedly over corruption. Elias Biziungu the president of Ndatemwa court and Olivier Mugabo, the cell coordinator were arrested on February 5 at Jambo beach after receiving a bribe of Frw350,000 from MP Emanuel Munvaneza. The duo had allegedly asked bribe in return for a fair sentence on the second ruling of genocide—related case involving the legislator [Munvaneza] which was scheduled for February 12. He had reportedly been acquitted of the charges earlier in January by the same court but the plaintiff appealed the case. The amount they were caught with was reportedly part of Frw700,000 agreed upon. According to sources, the MP tipped the police before handing over the bribe and police photographed some notes which acted as evidence. Sources say Police arrived at the scene shortly after they had got the money and on examining the notes, they were the ones they had photographed moments earlier. Though Munvaneza alerted the police, some residents allege that he had earlier handed the duo money that influenced the earlier verdict. But it was not clear why and how they fell out. The executive secretary of Kiziguro Damascene Rutabingwa criticised the duo describing their act as shameful. The law should take its course because they have abused their role of being exemplary in the fight against corruption, Rutabingwa said last week. Police sources said the suspects would be transferred to Nyagatare for prosecution.Ends
