FERWAFA’S Secretary General Mulindahabi Jean Olivier.
The Nyarugenge Intermediate Court will on Tuesday decide to give or deny bail for Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), Olivier Mulindahabi who was arrested over a case of corruption and breach of standard tendering procedures.
Last Wednesday, Mulindahabi requested the court to award him bail as investigation continue after losing an appeal against a decision to remand him by the Nyarugunga Primary Court
Mulindahabi’s case is hinged on the controversy surrounding construction of the Rwf4 billion hotel in Remera, just next to the Amahoro National Stadium.
Mulindahabi was arrested and detained last month on charges of single sourcing for a contractor to construct the 4-Star hotel belonging to the football body, whose construction is being funded by FIFA.
Also in detention is the head of the contracted firm, Expert Company Ltd Adolphe Mulindwa.
Mulindahabi’s lawyer Pascal Gatsimbanyi believes the substance in trial will be on hold pending more investigations requested by the prosecution side.
“We had appealed seeking the right of our client to be tried while not in detention, because there was no criminal evidence necessitating his continued detention. However, the court today has decided otherwise and we have to wait until the trial in substance begins,” he said.
Construction works for the 100-room hotel have been put on hold.
The hotel project is under FIFA’s Goal project development programme aimed at helping developing countries to establish infrastructure and facilities to boost the growth of the game, which would equally reduce financial pressure from the ministry budget for hospitality and accommodation during sports events.
Construction works for the facility located at premises formerly occupied by Rwanda National Police, adjacent to FERWAFA headquarters, started in August last year.