The pre-detention hearings in the case filed against pastor Jean-Bosco Harerimana of Zeraphat Holy Church and his wife Jeanne Nsengiyumva, will kick off on Thursday, October 24, before the Kicukiro Primary Court.
On October 9, Rwanda Investigation Bureau 9 arrested Harerimana and his wife on allegations of fraud, blackmailing, and the dissemination of pornographic content online.
Their case file was forwarded to the NPPA on October 14.
Accusations against Harerimana and Nsengiyuva stem from a case filed by a former member of their church, claiming that the pastor had asked for Rwf10 million to treat an unspecified chronic disease, said RIB spokesperson Thierry Murangira.
Fraud conviction attracts a jail term of between two to three years and fines ranging between Rwf3 million and Rwf5 million.
Blackmail attracts a sentence of between one to three years’ imprisonment and fines ranging between Rwf100,000 to Rwf300,000.
The controversial Zerafat Holy Church recently had its legal standing withdrawn by the Rwanda Governance Board.
RGB further reiterated that the church had totally disregarded the law, explaining in the statement issued on October 18 that its actions were considered harmful to Rwandan society morals, public order, peace, and security.
