Ignatius Ssuuna
30 June 2009
Kigali — Members of the Kigali Bar Association yesterday condemned Olivier Muhizi, a city lawyer who was arrested last week while trying to bribe a judge in order to subvert the course of justice.
Vincent Karangwa, president of the Kigali Bar association yesterday described the incident as "unfortunate and highly careless."
"We shall summon him as soon as the court finishes its part. He has ashamed all his learned friends," Karangwa said by phone.
He said the highest punishment that awaits the lawyer if proved beyond doubt that he gave a bribe to undermine justice is expulsion from the association.
"Lawyers must be honest. Their records should be beyond reproach."
Muhizi was arrested for allegedly trying to bribe a judge at Kagarama Court of Lower Instance in Gikondo.
According to Augustin Nkusi, the spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Muhizi had presented $2000 to a judge seeking a ruling in favor of his client.
Nkusi said the judge instead alerted members of the anti-corruption team who immediately arrested Muhizi and detained him. Muhizi will be arraigned before the courts soon.
"These learned people are considered to be the custodians of the law. It's very saddening when they turn into violators of the laws they are supposed to protect," Nkusi told The NewTimes on Sunday in a telephone interview.
Muhizi was in Kagarama Court battling a case involving Denis Girimbabazi- a former Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) during the regime of Juvenal Habyarimana.
According to Nkusi, Girimbabazi's family went to court and claimed that the family head fled at the height of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and he is feared dead.
But other reports suggest that Girimbabazi who is accused of participating in the Genocide is still alive. According to Nkusi, Girimbabazi is a Genocide suspect, placed in category one-the planners of 100 day killings.
The relatives, through the family lawyer are now seeking permission to sell Girimbabazi's property.
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