The High Court in Nyamirambo has postponed the hearing in the case of Dieudonne Ishimwe, popularly known as Prince Kid, to September 15.
During a hearing held on Friday, July 14, the presiding judge emphasized that the trial’s adjournment aims to grant the defense sufficient time to assess and examine the report from the Rwanda Forensic Laboratory regarding the newly submitted audio evidence and its accompanying explanations.
In the previous session on June 30, it was initially expected that the court would deliver its verdict in this case. However, the court decided to reopen the trial to accommodate the discussion of the newly presented evidence by the prosecution.
“The prosecution submitted new evidence in the form of an audio recording on June 23, and both parties will resume the trial to thoroughly analyze it before the verdict is delivered,” the presiding judge said.
Ishimwe, the CEO of Rwanda Inspiration Back Up and the former organizer of the Miss Rwanda Beauty Pageant, has been embroiled in legal proceedings since 2022 when he was arrested and charged with soliciting sexual favors, harassment, and rape.
In December 2022, the intermediate court of Nyarugenge acquitted him due to insufficient evidence supporting the charges. However, the prosecution lodged an appeal against the decision.
The appeal, filed at the High Court, was based on several grounds, including the claim that the intermediate court judges disregarded crucial evidence, such as witness testimonies and victims’ statements. New Times noted.
One of the pieces of evidence highlighted by the prosecution was a leaked audio recording of a conversation between Ishimwe and one of the Miss Rwanda pageant contestants.
