The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) sitting in Arusha, Tanzania, on Friday, March 15, dismissed the case of one Dr. Alfred Rurangwa who had sued the government of Rwanda, claiming it sold his land while he was away for studies in the United States, The New Times, Rwanda’s largest daily newspaper, reported Sunday.
The plaintiff filed the lawsuit in 2019, alleging that during his absence for studies in the USA, his property in Kimihurura, Kigali, was unlawfully sold and transferred to an individual named Papias Ntabareshya.
He argued that the sale was facilitated by a false death certificate issued in his name by the Executive Secretary of his village in Kibangu Sector, Muhanga district, Southern Province.
According to him, the document was then endorsed by a primary court judge, enabling Ntabareshya to acquire his property. He argued that these actions contravened the provisions of the East African Community (EAC) Treaty.
The EACJ, established in November 2001, is tasked with ensuring adherence to the law in interpreting, applying, and enforcing the EAC Treaty.
The Attorney General of Rwanda, in response, refuted Dr. Rurangwa’s claims, asserting that all transactions pertaining to the property were conducted between the applicant’s wife, his sister, and the buyer. He noted that the government had no involvement in these transactions and, therefore, could not be held liable.
The case was scheduled for hearing on March 15, however, Rurangwa failed to appear despite being duly served with a notice of the hearing.
Subsequently, the judges opted to dismiss the case. Representatives of the Attorney General of Rwanda were present in court during the proceedings.