Alfred Nkubiri, a leading producer of fertilizers in Rwanda, is expected in court to answer charges of forgery, according to an indictment issued by the National Public Prosecution Authority in case number 00090/IPRL GG/2020/JMVN/RM.
In the indictment, prosecution stated that Nkubiri, a resident of Kimihurura in Gasabo district, is charged with forgery under article 276 of the Penal code act. He is also charged with tampering with exhibits subject to provisions of article 245 of the penal code act.
According to prosecution, the government is said to have lost a colossal sum of money through these forged lists of ghost farmers allegedly drawn by fertilizer suppliers including Nkubiri.
According to Taarifa’s investigation, it should be noted that since 2005 the government partnered with private companies to import required types of fertilizers and quantities need for the cropping seasons.
Farmers would be given fertilizers and the supplier would later take a list of recipients to the Ministry of Agriculture. The list would include details of the farmers such as an ID number, quantity of fertilizer received and signature.
The supplier would deduct expenses incurred especially in the course of delivering fertlisers to farmers. The balance of cash would be returned to the Ministry of Agriculture.
“It was discovered that fertilizer suppliers would manipulate lists of farmers indicating that they received and signed for fertilizers yet not,” Prosecution says, adding, “this forgery cause government a loss worth Rwf9,074,504,045 (9billion).”
Prosecution says, “Nkubiri who was assigned to deliver fertilisers in Ngoma, Kayonza, Gatsibo, Nyagatare and Rwamagana caused the government to lose a total of Rwf2,036,938,194 (2billion).”
Nkubili Alfred, operates under a company known as ETS Nkubili Alfred [ENAS], dealing in general commerce, agriculture, import, and export.
Signed documents by MINAGRI, however, indicate that it is actually Nkubiri who is owned money and other documents, also signed by MINAGRI, show that funds in 2011 that were expected from farmers were waived due to losses incurred after a bad season.
Nkubiri is charged alongside other suppliers and distributors, all of whom have not appeared before court until mid October to answer charges substantively.
Source: https://taarifa.rw/