Published on 31/10/2024
Miss Nshuti Muheto Divine appeared before the Kicukiro District Court facing charges brought against her by the Prosecutor’s Office, including imprisonment and parole considerations.
Miss Muheto, represented by three lawyers, acknowledged her guilt regarding the charges, which included hit-and-run.
Prosecutors told court that on the 24th of October, Miss Muheto had left a bar, “Atelier du Vin,” the Kicukiro-based upscale bar at around midnight, driving a KIA SPORTAGE and on her way home, she lost control of the car in Nyakabanda – Kicukiro, hitting an electric pole and a palm tree, damaging her car in the process.
According to the prosecution after the incident, she initially left the scene but later returned to retrieve her phone at which point the police had already arrived. At that moment, she allegedly denied being the driver of the vehicle involved.
Related: Rwanda National Police Confirms Miss Muheto Divine Detained Over Drunk Driving Offences
The prosecution further stated that this was not Miss Muheto’s first offense, pointing out that she had previously been warned and had apologized for similar behavior on September 23, 2024. They requested the Court to convict her on the three charges she currently faces.
In her defense, Muheto admitted to driving under the influence, driving without a license, and the hit-and-run. However, she denied fleeing the scene. She explained that after the collision, she moved aside due to the crowd gathering but remained close enough to be present when the police arrived.
One of Muheto’s lawyers argued that she had confessed to the crime and requested leniency, noting her cooperation throughout the judicial process.
The lawyer also clarified that while Muheto held a provisional driving license and was aware of traffic rules, she had made the mistake of driving without a permanent license. Furthermore, they noted that the electric pole and palm tree remained intact, suggesting that she had not fully abandoned the scene of the accident.
Related: Rwanda National Police Confirms Miss Muheto Divine Detained Over Drunk Driving Offences
