Gasabo Primary Court has presided over the trial of ex-Prime Minister Dr. Damien Habumuremyi after a businessman identified as Daniel Bizima filed a lawsuit against him claiming that he received an unguaranteed cheque for a debt worth Rwf3.2 million for offered car rental services.

Dr. Habumuremyi and Bizimana were not present in the court but the businessman was represented by his defence lawyer.

“Concerned parties have reached consensus and we are here to request for cancellation of the court case,” he said.

The defence lawyer revealed that they took the decision based on article 123 of the law determining processes to handle civil cases.

He explained that Bizimana got in negotiations with the daughter of Dr. Habumuremyi with whom they agreed to cancel the court case on condition that the plaint can be filed again in case the pledge is not honoured.

“That is why Pierre Damien was not present in the court. He was aware of this consent,” disclosed the defence lawyer.

Dr. Habumuremyi is a former politician who served as Rwanda’s Prime Minister between 2011 and 2014.

After serving as Prime Minister from 7th October 2011 to 23rd July 2014, he was named as the chairman of Chancellery for Heroes, National Orders and Decoration of Honour from February 2015 prior to his arrest in 2020 over issuance of unguaranteed cheques.

Dr. Habumuremyi was released on 14th December 2021 after spending a year and three months in jail.

During trial proceedings, the prosecution said that Dr. Habumuremyi had Rwf1.5 billion in debts.

The clemency granted to him nullified the three-year jail term and Rwf892 fine that he was handed by Nyarugenge Intermediate Court on 27th November 2020.

He had to clear all debts owed to plaintiffs but experienced hurdles to clear them as his university (Christian University) which dragged him into debts was also closed owing to irregularities.

It is reported that Dr. Habumuremyi paid some individuals in installments but others did not receive a single coin.

According to sources, Dr. Habumuremyi recently told plaintiffs during negotiations that he is unable to pay pending debts because all his properties were auctioned.

He however promised them to pay them gradually within one year.

The court’s ruling on the request will be read on 10th November 2022.

AE News