City Tycoon Alfred Nkubiri has been denied bail for the fourth time, a right he has sought for four months in vain.
The Gasabo Intermediate Court has ruled against Nkubiri in a questionable ruling that has left the legal community confused. Judge Nubaha Murwanashyaka had adjourned a hearing on Friday, October 30 to November 5, when the verdict on Nkubiri's bail application was expected to be pronounced.
However, at 9:26AM, on Monday, November 2, the court announced that the verdict would be pronounced later at 2:00PM. It did. It means the court had only four hours to examine the proceedings of the hearing and pronounce a verdict because they don't work over the weekend.
Nkubiri's lawyers said that they were not informed by the court that the verdict would be pronounced on Monday afternoon. His lawyers learnt about the verdict today morning after a false announcement of Nkuburi's death that circulated on social media.
'We the family of Alfred Nkubili would like to clarify that the news circulating on social media that he died is false. He is currently hospitalized at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) and undergoing treatment. We are saddened by the false information being spread on different platforms including mainstream media. Please disregard all that. Notably, no single family member has confirmed anything to anyone. We are praying that he recovers soon,' an announcement from the family on Twitter said.
By the time of the pronouncement, Nkubiri was receiving emergency medical treatment at CHUK where he is hospitalised since yesterday morning. The judge in the ruling against Nkubiri's bail application said that he is indeed aware that the suspect is severely ill, but he proceeded with upholding the prosecution's plea that he remains remanded.
Normally, legal experts say, this ruling is questionable because a judge can only cut short the date of the ruling if it is in favour of the suspect or if there is a reason beyond doubt that the judge has no control over, such as death, sickness, natural calamity or work-related schedules by his superiors.
'Such a decision is taken when the ruling is in favour of the suspect, otherwise, why would a judge rush to pronounce a verdict even before the date of the announcement he set himself. Unless there is external influence otherwise there is no other explanation,' a lawyer who preferred to remain anonymous told Taarifa. 'Nkubiri's lawyers should lodge in a complaint to the directorate of the judiciary,' he said.
Nkubiri and several other suspects have been in detention for four months without trial. They are charged with forgery and tampering with exhibits. They are yet to appear before the court for a substantive hearing.
The post Bedridden Nkubiri Denied Bail, Ruling Made Before Set Date appeared first on Taarifa Rwanda.
Source : https://taarifa.rw/bedridden-nkubiri-denied-bail-ruling-made-before-set-date/
