The alleged bribe was meant to influence the officer to illegally release his motorcycle, according to the Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi.
Niyobuhungiro’s motorcycle had been impounded in the ongoing investigations over the theft of goats in Kamembe.
“Residents reported to the leadership of the taxi-moto cooperative in Rusizi that the motorcycle, RE 611L was seen transporting stolen goats,” said CIP Karekezi.
He added: “In the morning of Monday, while riding his motorcycle in Kamembe sector, Niyobuhungiro saw security personnel of their cooperative following him, he just abandoned his motorcycle and run away.
The security personnel impounded the moto and took it to Kamembe Police station. Niyobuhungiro instead decided to go to the Police station where he tried to seduce the officer on duty with the bribe of Frw5, 000 to release his motorcycle, but he was taken into custody for the alleged criminal act.”
CIP Karekezi warned against such criminal practices, which leads to imprisonment and to serve many years in prison for the “avoidable act.”
The suspect was handed over to RIB at Kamembe station for further investigation and legal process
Under article 4 of law n° 54/2018 of 13/08/2018 on fighting against corruption, any person who solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/ herself or another person or accepts a promise in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate or uses his or her position to render or omit a service, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five years but not more than seven years with a fine of three to five times the value of the illegal benefit offered, solicited or received.
Penalties provided under this article also apply to a person, who offers or promises to offer a benefit, by any means, an illegal benefit for him/ herself or another person to have a service rendered or omitted.
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