Rwanda National Police

A man, who attempted to have his colleague released from custody ended up joining him after he tried to bribe the law enforcement officers in charge.  

Aloys Hakizimana, 43, was arrested on Saturday, in Nyagisozi Sector where he allegedly committed the crime as he tried to seduce a law enforcement officer with Rwf40, 000, so as to free his colleague.

Hakizimana's friend called Pascal Tuyisenge detained at Nyagisozi Police station, was arrested recently over assault and battery related offences.

According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, Police spokesperson of the Southern region, Hakizimana, after knowing that his friend, Pascal Tuyisenge was arrested, he started calling the the law enforcement agents for "negotiation."

“Hakizimana was informed that his colleague is at the station, started to call an officer for negotiations, he proposed to give Rwf40, 000 to have his colleague released illegally; he was arrested red-handed by Police and investigators giving the bribe,” CIP Twajamahoro said.

“If someone is apprehended over a certain crime, relatives or friends should think of the legal way to prove his innocence before the courts of law, because contrary to that, you will find yourself facing the law as well,” CIP Twajamahoro warned.

The spokesperson added: “Corruption or bribery has no place in Rwanda; so it's high time people understood that attempting to bribe a law enforcement officer, is no wisdom, but a crime you will be arrested for.”

He advised that doors for law enforcement agencies are always open to any person who has an issue they want to discuss or be addressed lawfully, but not to address a crime with another crime.

“A crime cannot solve a crime; but it attracts more charges. It is better to follow the right procedures to acquire a service."

According to article 4 of the Law on Fighting Against Corruption, any person who offers, solicits, accepts or receives, by any means, an illegal benefit for himself/herself or another person in order to render or omit a service under his or her mandate, commits an offense.  

Upon conviction, the offender 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 solicited or received.