Audio By Carbonatix
A high court in Rwanda has sentenced a former youth and culture minister to five years in prison over corruption charges, extending a previous sentence by a year.
The original sentence, which came last year, against Edouard Bamporiki was a rare case of a top official convicted over corruption in the country.
He was suspended from cabinet last May and put under house arrest while being investigated for corruption and misuse of power. He remained under house arrest until this ruling.
Bamporiki confessed to the charges on Twitter and asked President Paul Kagame for forgiveness, but in September a court sentenced him to four years - which he appealed.
On Monday, a high court judge in the capital, Kigali, said “justice needs to be served to set an example”.
The 39-year-old poet and filmmaker was previously a vigorous supporter of President Kagame and the ruling party and rose rapidly through the ranks.
His lawyer, Evode Kayitana, told the BBC that they had not decided on whether to appeal.
Latest Stories
-
Ecobank Ghana MD expresses gratitude to customers, staff at 9 Lessons & Carols Service
3 hours -
Ghana and Germany deepen economic partnership: A new era of investment and cooperation
3 hours -
Breaking up before the holidays: Is it better to let go before or after the festive season?
3 hours -
From waste to purpose: Prudential Life advances no-plastic-use agenda with plastic recycled desk project
3 hours -
Jerry Ahmed opposes use of athletes’ bonuses as Sports Fund sources
4 hours -
Water supply disruption looms as Weija Plant undergoes maintenance on Friday
4 hours -
Accra: Corn miller in court for planning to set Kantamanto shops ablaze
4 hours -
Over 1.3m young Ghanaians out of work or school – GSS
4 hours -
Merqury Quaye Live DJ Concert set for December 25 at Laboma Beach Resort
4 hours -
Six drivers arrested as AMA boss enforces approved public transport fares
4 hours -
Aephaniel Owusu-Agyemang: A journey of leadership, policy and economic purpose
4 hours -
Victory for Ghana’s forests: Civil society hails revocation of controversial L.I. 2462
4 hours -
HIV testing should be mandatory for employment in Ghana – Habib Iddrisu
4 hours -
The use of ‘olonka’ must end, we need proper measuring scale – Kofi Kapito
5 hours -
Gov’t bans mining in forest reserves; violators face up to 25 years in prison
5 hours