Prosecution seeks life sentences for five men accused in 12-year-old Loïc’s death

By The Inspirer.

The prosecution has requested life imprisonment for five men accused of killing Kalinda Loïc Ntwali, a 12-year-old boy from Nyanza District. The five suspects, who appeared before the Huye Intermediate Court, deny the charges of premeditated murder and complicity. 

The accused individuals, all from Nyanza, are: Ngarambe Charles, alias Rasita; Ngiruwonsanga Jean Baptiste, alias Rukara; Ngamije Joseph; Nikuze François; and Rwasa Ignace. They face charges in connection with the tragic death of Loïc, whose lifeless body was discovered hanging in a communal washing area in Gakenyeri A village in 2023. 

Prosecution’s case  

The prosecution outlined the events leading up to Loïc’s death, claiming that the five men conspired to murder him. According to the prosecution, the conspiracy was the result of a dispute between one of the accused, Ngamije Joseph, and Loïc’s father, Retired Captain Aimable Twiringiyumukiza. The prosecution asserts that the accused gathered at Ngarambe Charles’s house to plan the murder. 

Loïc’s body was found hanging, but forensic investigations revealed that he died from asphyxiation. The prosecution claims that the boy was strangled with a plastic bag and then hanged to stage the scene as a suicide. According to their argument, after Loïc was found dead, the suspects removed his body and rushed it to a hospital without notifying authorities. 

The prosecution also presented a witness who claimed to have overheard a meeting at Ngarambe Charles’s residence four days before the incident, where the suspects allegedly discussed the plan. This witness stated that Rukara suggested using a plastic bag to strangle Loïc, calling it a quick and undetectable method.

The witness further claimed that Ngamije paid Rukara RWF 100,000 for the idea, while Ngarambe received a sack of rice for hosting the meeting. 

In light of the evidence, the prosecution requested life imprisonment for each defendant, emphasizing that the suspects acted deliberately and should be held accountable for their actions. 

Defendants’ denial

All five defendants vehemently denied the charges, maintaining their innocence throughout the trial. 

Ngarambe Charles rejected the idea of having hosted any such meeting, insisting that his home was too small for such a gathering. Nikuze François also disputed the witness’s testimony, arguing that it was fabricated months after the alleged incident. He pointed out that the plastic bag allegedly used in the crime was never found. 

Ngiruwonsanga Jean Baptiste claimed that the accusations against him were part of a setup and emotionally asserted that he had no connection to Loïc’s family. Similarly, Ngamije Joseph denied any prior conflict with Loïc’s father, stating that any past disagreements over water had been resolved peacefully. 

Rwasa Ignace questioned the witness’s credibility, asking why they had not spoken up earlier if they knew about the conspiracy. The defense lawyers argued that there was no tangible evidence linking their clients to the crime and called for the dismissal of the witness’s testimony, especially given the absence of the key witness in court. 

Attorney Samuel Rugwizangoga, representing one of the accused, emphasized that without the presence of the witness, the testimony could not be given any weight.

Another defense lawyer, Natacha Mutumwinka, contested claims that the accused had transported Loïc’s body to the hospital, arguing that a neighbor had discovered the body and alerted others, including Loïc’s mother. 

The defense team pleaded for the acquittal of their clients, insisting on their innocence and asking the court to reintegrate them into society. 

Compensation claim

In addition to the criminal case, Loïc’s father, Retired Captain Aimable Twiringiyumukiza, has filed a compensation claim against the accused. His lawyer, Jean de Dieu Nduwayo, requested RWF 25 million in damages to cover burial expenses, legal fees, and other associated costs. 

Loïc, a primary six student, was a beloved member of his community. His tragic death has left his family and the surrounding community devastated. The court will deliver its verdict in December 2024.

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