Rwandan court stops nepotism proceedings against former minister of mining

Imprimer

Kigali, Rwanda, December 7 (Infosplusgabon) -  A Rwandan court on Thursday decided to stop tribunal proceedings against the country's former Mining minister Evode Imena, who was accused of nepotism and favouritism.

 

According to the verdict by the intermediate court of Nyarugenge in Kigali, judges have considered the appeal filed by the defendant challenging the prosecution regarding the corruption allegations.

 

The hearing was with regard to a plaint filed by the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) in early January on charges that Imena committed nepotism and favouritism in illegally awarding a mining concession to a local company, ignoring standing concession by another firm, in late 2013.

 

The former minister was facing similar charges with the former director of the mines inspection unit, Francis Kayumba, and a division manager of mining operations at the Geology and Mines Department Joseph Kagabo, who were remanded in custody pending formal charges and trial.

 

The prosecution initially argued that Imena abused his office by colluding in the creation of a mining company, whose owners were spouses of Kayumba and Kagabo.

 

In his defence, Imena denied the charges and rejected the suggestion that he was aware of the illegal dealings that resulted in the creation of the company in question.

 

Appointed Minister of State in charge of Mining at the Ministry of Natural Resources in February 2013, Imena was dropped in a cabinet reshuffle in October last year.

 

 

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/IYT/GABON 2017

 

 

 

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