What You Need to Know About the Trial of Major Jean Claude Habineza, Accused of Stealing Rwf 485 Million

The court stated that Major Habineza is facing five criminal charges, allegedly committed with the assistance of his brother.

The Military Prosecution said the five charges are:

Issuing bounced (dishonoured) cheques;

Theft;

Forgery (uttering false documents);

Obtaining another person's property through fraud;

Breach of trust.

According to the prosecution, the offences were committed between 2023 and 2025, when Major Habineza was serving as a loan officer at Zigama CSS.

The Charges Against Major Jean Claude Habineza

During the identification process, Major Habineza told the court that he owns three houses, three plots of land, and three vehicles.

He admitted only the charge of issuing bounced cheques, but denied the remaining four charges, arguing that there were no grounds to prosecute him for them.

The prosecution then explained each charge in detail.

Theft

The prosecution alleges that while working at Zigama CSS, Major Habineza withdrew money from customers' accounts between 2023 and 2025 without obtaining their signatures or authorization.

According to prosecutors, he would tell fellow employees that customers had instructed him to withdraw money on their behalf. However, they argued that this claim was false, noting that when asked by the court, he failed to produce any proof.

For example, on 28 February 2024, he allegedly withdrew US$5,000 from the account of Karemera Winnie for the second time without the account holder's knowledge.

Overall, prosecutors allege that he unlawfully withdrew more than Rwf 485 million from the accounts of 27 Zigama CSS customers.

List of Alleged Victims

The prosecution listed the following account holders and the amounts allegedly withdrawn from their accounts:

Civ. Karemera Winnie – US$5,000

Lt. Niyoyita Jean Marie Vianney – Rwf 15,000,000

Rtd Lt. Kagame Tonny – Rwf 20,000,000

Maj. Charles Byukusenge – Rwf 10,000,000

Demob Pte Africa Jean Claude – Rwf 20,000,000

Maj. Tharisse Tuyiringire – Rwf 5,000,000

Civ. Gasana Jean Yves – Rwf 10,000,000

Civ. Higiro James – Rwf 70,000,000

Civ. Muhimakazi Felicula – US$24,500

Civ. Rwasiko Jean Marie – Rwf 7,200,000

Civ. Ndahiro Edouard – Rwf 14,600,000

Maj. Sebahuye Jerome – Rwf 20,000,000

Ssgt Gashirabake Didas – Rwf 87,000,000

Civ. Kabandana Gilbert – Rwf 22,120,000

Maj. Polepole Ignace Gashegu – Rwf 33,000,000

Civ. Kagarama Emile – US$2,000

Maj. Fredo Iragaba – Rwf 11,960,000

Maj. Alphonse Munyaneza – Rwf 16,000,000

Civ. Shema Jean Luc – Rwf 7,050,000

Sgt. Bizimana Eric – Rwf 3,169,432

Civ. Umutoni Ange Anitha – Rwf 11,600,000 and US$900

Sgt. Habanabakize Olivier – Rwf 12,318,009

Civ. Uwamahoro Belise – Rwf 1,000,000

Sgt. Munyantara Donatien – Rwf 3,000,000

Me Joseph Twagirayezu – US$12,000 and Rwf 15,000,000

Maj. François Hakuzimana – Rwf 6,700,000

Civ. Sano Eric – Rwf 70,000,000

The total amount involved exceeds Rwf 485 million, excluding claims for moral damages. The court ruled that all alleged victims are entitled to seek compensation.

Forgery

The prosecution alleges that whenever he withdrew customers' money, Major Habineza signed withdrawal documents as though he were the account holder. These acts allegedly occurred repeatedly on different accounts.

Issuing Bounced Cheques

Between 2023 and 2025, after withdrawing customers' money, he allegedly issued cheques to some victims. When they attempted to cash the cheques, they discovered there were insufficient funds, prompting them to report the matter to Zigama CSS.

Breach of Trust

The prosecution alleges that between 2023 and 2024, Major Habineza promised several people that he would import vehicles for them but never delivered.

On 20 September 2023, Sgt. Munyantarama Vincent, who had previously served as his bodyguard, lent him money which, according to prosecutors, has never been repaid.

Witnesses included a Zigama CSS employee who testified that he had been instructed to transfer money into Major Habineza's account. Bank reports were also presented showing repeated withdrawals over time.

The prosecution further alleged that Major Habineza signed customers' withdrawal forms without their authorization. Testimony was also given by the official responsible for verifying withdrawal vouchers.

According to the prosecution, Major Habineza apologized for his actions, admitting that he had done things that should not have happened. Several complainants confirmed that they had lent him money, and he acknowledged receiving it, although he had not repaid it.

Major Habineza's Defence

Major Habineza admitted only the charge of issuing bounced cheques.

He gave examples of people he claimed to have paid using mobile phone transfers and told the court that records supporting those payments existed in the system.

He argued that, as the officer responsible for loans, he was authorized to access customers' accounts whenever they had granted him permission.

The court asked him who had given him legal authority to access customers' accounts. He replied:

"I do not have any written document proving that I had been authorized to access their accounts."

The court responded that, without written authorization, he was not permitted to carry out those transactions.

Some complainants also sued Zigama CSS, arguing that the bank's procedures enabled a loans officer to access and withdraw members' funds. Zigama CSS submitted documents acknowledging that unauthorized withdrawals had occurred from customers' accounts.

When asked to provide written proof that customers had authorized him to withdraw their money, Major Habineza said they had only communicated by telephone.

He denied the breach of trust charge but stated that he was willing to repay everyone he owed.

He also denied the fraud charge, arguing that he had longstanding business relationships with the complainants and therefore his conduct did not amount to fraud.

Defence of Bavakure Ndekwe Felix

Bavakure Ndekwe Felix, Major Habineza's younger brother, was also employed by Zigama CSS while his brother served as the loans officer.

He denied being an accomplice in the alleged theft of customers' money.

He told the court that he did not personally know any of the customers and that he merely followed instructions from his brother because he trusted him as both his elder brother and his superior at work.

He said his brother should testify on his behalf and emphasized that no customer had accused him directly.

He also denied receiving the US$5,000 that prosecutors alleged had been transferred to his account, stating that he had never opened a US dollar account and therefore should not be held responsible for actions allegedly committed by Major Habineza.

Adjournment of the Case

After the morning session, the court initially ordered proceedings to resume in the afternoon. However, once the court reconvened, it ruled that the case would continue on 16 September 2025.

The adjournment followed a request by the civil claimants for Zigama CSS to be formally included in the proceedings so that the issue of civil liability could be considered.

The claimants argue that Zigama CSS failed to adequately safeguard customers' funds, allowing Major Habineza to access and withdraw money from members' accounts without sufficient controls.