Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) in partnership with the Office of the Ombudsman have arrested a defense lawyer who was caught red-handed taking a bribe of Rwf500, 000.
According to the acting RIB spokesperson, Modeste Mbabazi, investigators working closely with staff of the Office of the Ombudsman received information that a defense lawyer known as Bugabo Laurent was about to take a bribe.
“He had promised to influence the release of a convict who was sentenced to life imprisonment over child defilement, in exchange of Rwf500, 000. Our investigators arrested him as he was taking the bribe,” said Mbabazi.
Mbabazi added that; such kind of behaviors not only tarnishes the image of our judicial systems but also have diverse effects on individuals, and the country since it affects the economy and translates to a slow pace of development. The only way to eradicate corruption is to denounce those involved in such malpractices and report them to relevant authorities.”
Fighting corruption is one of RIB’s priorities as the Bureau has a specialized unit in charge of handling such cases.
Mbabazi commended the public’s support in fighting corruption through timely sharing of information that facilitated arrests of the suspect.
Article 640 of the penal code stipulates that any person who explicitly or implicitly offers, directly or indirectly proposes or promises a gift or any other illegal benefit, to a person in charge of a service, mission or mandate in order to render a service to him/her or somebody else, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of 2 years to 5 years and a fine of 2 to 10 times the value of the illegal benefit granted or promised upon conviction.
