Prosecution has demanded a five-year jail term and a fine of Rwf892.2 million (about US$926,000) for former Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi for issuing bounced checks and breach of trust.
Habumuremyi's trial was held on Friday via online by Nyarugenge Intermediate.
He was arrested in July and allegedly issued bounced checks worth Rwf100 million (about US$104,000) between 2018 and 2019 when he was the rector of the Christian University of Rwanda, which is defunct.
Habumuremyi during the trial denied breach of trust, arguing that there are contracts binding him or the university and the companies that received bounced checks and he would sort out the matter if released.
Habumuremyi's lawyers requested the court to grant him bail as their customer has to receive specialized medical care for a heart condition and a vision problem, which puts the latter's health in danger if he remains in jail.
The former head of the cabinet, who owned the university in Kigali, was jointly accused with the university's Director of Finance Charles Serushyana.
His university was closed in July by the Ministry of Education for failing to fulfill requirements. The hearing was adjourned to November 27.
