ECONIMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES

 The Unit of the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) responsible for prosecuting economic and financial crimes was established in March 2007. Its primary goal is to prevent and prosecute individuals involved in misuse of the nation’s resources and hinder the nation's economic growth and development. That unit is in general responsible for investigating and prosecuting those suspected of crimes such as embezzlement and misuse of public and private funds, irregularities in the awarding of public procurements, tax evasion, money laundering, bribery, and other related offenses. These crimes are investigated based on complaints from victims or reports from various government or private entities.

 In particular, the unit is also responsible for the analysis of reports from the Auditor General’s Office and pursues government employees suspected of mismanaging public resources, based on these reports. Currently, the unit consists of 23 permanent staff members, including 11 prosecutors based at the NPPA headquarters and one prosecutor at each Intermediate Level of the Public Prosecution. In line with its mandate, the unit is responsible for the following tasks:

• Prosecuting those suspected of committing economic and financial crimes;
• Analyzing irregularities highlighted in reports from the Auditor General's Office;
• Conducting investigations and prosecutions of those suspected of mismanaging public funds, based on the Auditor General's reports;
• Bringing to Court individuals responsible for mismanagement of the country's finances and resources;
• To put on caveat and seizing assets connected to criminal activities;
• Collaborating with other institutions to prevent and fight against these crimes at both the national and international levels.

One of the major challenges the NPPA faces in prosecuting these crimes is the delay in receiving timely information, which allows offenders to escape or destroy evidence before they are discovered. To address this issue, the NPPA will continue to:

• Collaborate with other institutions to raise awareness among Rwandans to report those suspected to commit all crimes that hinder the country's development;
• Improve collaboration with other government and private institutions to prevent and fight against these crimes;
• Enhance cooperation with other countries, particularly in apprehending suspects who flee to foreign countries and in seizing and confiscating assets obtained through the commission of an offence and hidden abroad.

For more information on the unit's activities, click here