On Tuesday 23rd, January, 2023, the High court in Rwanda sentenced Bamporiki Edouard the former Secretary of State in the Ministry of Youth and Culture to five years in prison in addition to paying 30million Frw.
Bamporiki who is convicted of fraudulently obtaining property of another person and using power granted to him for his own benefit had originally been sentenced to four years in prison and a fine of 60million Frw which with the help of his lawyers appealed to after a hearing in Nyarugenge High Court.
A one Gatera-prominent business man and founder of Nobert business group in Rwanda in April 2022 filed a complaint to authorities following persistent and continuous demand of money from Bamporiki who had promised to help him(Gatera) have his closed factory re-opened and wife released (https://www.ktpress.rw/2022/09/bamporiki-sentenced-to-four-years-in-prison-on-corruption-charges/).
The ex-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Youth agrees to receiving a certain amount from Gatera however claims that the two are close friends and as such it was a token of appreciation and not a bribe.
He further adds that him accepting to help Gatera’s wife was because of the connections he had and was doing it for a friend not to be paid.
The High court Judge regarded Bamporiki’s reasons as baseless and as one who should be punished for the crimes committed.
