Shema Fabrice asks court to adjourn case

Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) president Shema Ngoga Fabrice has asked the Nyarugenge Primary Court to adjourn his case, saying he and his lawyer need more time to prepare his defence and gather evidence relating to the allegations against him.

Shema appeared before the court in Kigali on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, for a hearing concerning his request for provisional release.

The hearing began at about 11:28 a.m., when the presiding judge called Shema and his legal representative before the court.

The judge read out Shema’s personal details before outlining two offences he is suspected of committing.

According to the proceedings, he is accused of issuing a cheque without sufficient funds and obtaining another person’s property through fraud.

After the charges were read, Shema and his lawyer were given an opportunity to respond.

His lawyer asked the court to postpone the hearing, arguing that the defence had not been given enough time to properly prepare the case and obtain evidence that could be relevant to the allegations.

The judge then asked Shema whether he agreed with his lawyer’s request. The FERWAFA president confirmed that he also wanted the hearing to be adjourned.

Shema has been in detention since August 11, when the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) arrested him over allegations that he had issued a dishonoured cheque.

RIB initially said he was being held at its Kicukiro station while investigations continued into the alleged offence and other matters connected to the case.

On August 13, RIB spokesperson Dr Murangira B. Thierry clarified that the investigation was linked to Shema’s private professional activities and had no connection with his position as president of FERWAFA.

He said the cheque in question was related to work Shema was conducting outside the football federation.

RIB subsequently forwarded Shema’s case file to the prosecution on August 18, while noting that investigations were still continuing.

The amount involved in the disputed cheque and the identity of the person who lodged the complaint have not been publicly disclosed.

Shema is also the founder and chief executive of Africa Medical Supplier, a company involved in the supply of medical equipment and pharmaceutical products.

His business activities have therefore been central to the explanation given by RIB about the origin of the investigation.

The allegations against Shema have not been determined by a court, and he remains entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Shema was elected FERWAFA president on August 30, 2025, after previously serving as president of AS Kigali.

During his time at AS Kigali, the club won the Peace Cup in 2019 and 2022 as well as the 2022 Super Cup.