Africa-Press – Rwanda. Former state minister in charge of culture Edouard Bamporiki’s appeal hearing got underway on Monday at the High Court. Bamporiki is challenging a sentence and a fine handed to him by the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court in October.
Nyarugenge Intermediate Court handed him a four-year jail sentence and a fine of Rwf60 million on September 30.
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The court convicted him of two counts of fraudulent acquisition of another person’s property and abusing the authority given to him by the law.
Previously, the prosecution had sought a 20-year sentence and a fine of Rwf200m but Bamporiki’s lawyer, Jean-Baptiste Habyarimana had asked for a suspended sentence on grounds that his client had pleaded guilty and had been cooperative throughout the trial.
However, in delivering the verdict, the bench of three judge-bench had ruled that Bamporiki “doesn’t deserve a suspended sentence. It would not teach any lesson for the public if someone of his status as a state minister of culture and someone who championed values are not punished.”
ALSO READ: Bamporiki placed under house arrest amid a corruption investigation
During the substance trial hearing that took place on September 21, the prosecution told the court how Bamporiki solicited a bribe from businessman Norbert Gatera, promising to help him have the City of Kigali reopen his factory, which had been closed for not meeting the requisite requirements.
The prosecution had pointed out that Bamporiki’s position made it easy for him to convince people below him in terms of hierarchy to act as he wished, which amounts to misuse of public office.
Court heard how Bamporiki reportedly kept Gatera under pressure to deliver the money, Rwf5m and another Rwf10m, which the businessman had previously given a high-ranking official in government.
Despite paying up, Gatera is said to have felt cheated and coerced into paying huge amounts of money, which prompted him to report the case.
The court was told that on April 20, Gatera filed a case with Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), stating that he was being threatened by Bamporiki, that his factory will be closed for good if he doesn’t pay the required amount.
The prosecution presented to the court proof that Bamporiki received another Rwf10m from Gatera to help him secure the release of his wife, who was arrested in connection with the factory which was built illegally. The duo stayed in touch with Bamporiki reportedly asking for more offers.
However, Bamporiki said that he showed goodwill to advocate for her release but not for a fee, a point which was reiterated by his lawyers who said that when someone is ‘thanked’ for a good gesture, it does not constitute a crime.
Cameroon football legend and current FA president Samuel Eto’o is among the key figures who attended the international kick off edition of the Legends in Rwanda promotional tour held Saturday, December 17 in Doha Qatar.
Organized by the Veteran Clubs World Championship (VCWC), the promotional tour is one of the sideline events taking place in the country that is hosting the World Cup which concludes Sunday.
A presentation conference was held in partnership with the Rwandan embassy in Qatar, at the Luxurious Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hôtel, in the presence of international media and aspiring participants in the forums on peace, education, technology, investment and tourism.
With the tour, VCWC Chairman Fred Siewe and his team want to turn Rwanda into a home of legends in 2024.
The international kick off edition of the Legends in Rwanda promotional tour held in Doha Qatar Saturday, December 17.
“We witnessed the amazing energy brought by the football legends last October, during the YouthConnekt Africa summit grand opening at BK Arena, in the presence of President Paul Kagame,” Siewe said.
“It wasn’t just one, two or three but seven football legends that were present in Kigali for three memorable days of the Legends in Rwanda national kickoff. If seven legends could bring so much fever, imagine what hosting 150 of them from around the world can do for the nation?” he added.
Eto’o, who was the guest of honor at the event, said, “I am happy that Rwanda accepted to host this brilliant initiative. That’s the type of innovation we love from Africa.”
“I have to admit how much I miss Kigali and looking forward to being with you throughout the journey,” the former FC Barcelona and Internazionale striker added.
Meetings with legends, sports consultants, business men and investors from around the world are some of the many actions that are meant to contribute to the success of this first and historic edition of the Veteran Clubs World Championship in Rwanda.
As pointed out by the VCWC Chairman, Rwanda is indeed a place where legends in 2024 should all feel free to visit, invest and why not settle.
During the event, Jean Claude NGARAMBE, First Secretary of the Rwandan embassy in Qatar welcomed organisers’ move to take the Veteran Clubs World Cup to Kigali.
The seven legends present in Kigali:
Laura Georges: The Secretary General of the French Football Federation, former player at Bayern Munich & PSG and French international, UEFA Champions League winner in 2011 and 2012.
Anthony Baffoe: Former CAF Deputy Secretary General, former Ghana international, played for Bundesliga outfits FC Cologne and Dusseldorf.
Roger Milla: The oldest player ever to score at a FIFA World Cup. A Cameroon football legend, Milla played at French Ligue 1 clubs Monaco and Saint-Étienne. He won the African Ballon d’Or in 1976 and 1990.
He also twice helped Cameroon win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1984 and 1988.
Patrick M’boma: African Ballon D’Or in 2000, AFCON winner in 2000 and 2002, Olympic Champion in 2000. He played club football at Seria side Parma.
Lilian Thuram: World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000 winner with France, Thuram played club football at La Liga giants FC Barcelona and Italian Serie A clubs Parma and Juventus.
Jimmy Gatete: Arguably the greatest Rwandan player ever, Gatete in 2004 led his national team to its only AFCON participation to date.
Khalilou Fadiga: Played for Inter Milan and Bolton, was part of the Senegalese team that defeated holders France at the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in Japan and Korea.
Veteran Clubs World Championship (CVWC) Chairman Fred Siewe delivers remarks at the international kick off edition the Legends in Rwanda promotional tour. Courtesy
Veteran Clubs World Championship (CVWC) Chairman Fred Siewe and Cameroon football legend and current FA president Samuel Eto’o at the event in Qatar on Saturday, December 17.
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