By Kato Jamil
The prosecution is seeking a one-year-and-eight-months jail term for Miss Rwanda 2022 Divine Nshuti Muheto over charges related to drunk driving, damaging public infrastructure, and fleeing the scene after causing an accident.
Muheto, 20, committed the alleged crimes on the night of October 24. She was on her way from a bar located in Kicukiro District, City of Kigali, heading home to Kimironko where she resides.
During her arraignment at Kicukiro Primary Court on Thursday, October 31, the prosecutor told the judge that Muheto was driving her car under the influence of alcohol before she hit an electricity pole and a palm tree. She was arrested after police conducted an alcohol test, which revealed her blood alcohol level was significantly high.
Besides, the prosecutor questioned the beauty queen’s driving knowledge since she does not hold a driving permit.
Presenting her defence, Muheto admitted that she committed the two charges of drunk driving and damaging infrastructure, but denied fleeing the scene.
In addition, one of lawyers told the court that his client [Muheto] takes responsibility for the drunk driving offence and is remorseful about it. Regarding her lack of a driving permit, the lawyer pointed out that, though she did not have a “definitive” permit, she had a provisional one and thus understood the traffic rules.
Regarding the accusations of fleeing the scene, the lawyer said Muheto left the car for her own safety. He argued that she felt unsafe because, after the accident had happened, people began calling her name, and gathering around her, yet it was late at night.
The prosecutor, however, objected to the lawyers’ claims, insisting that Muheto fled the scene because, even after returning to the scene to pick up her phone in the car, she still denied before the police that she was the driver of the car.
The prosecutors asked the judge to hand Muheto a one-year and eight-month jail term which included six months for drunk driving, two months for driving without a permit, and one year for fleeing after causing an accident.
Reacting to the prosecutor’s petition, Muheto’s lawyers argued that she shouldn’t be jailed but rather slapped with a fine, considering that she is “an important person” who has projects of national importance in regards to fighting stunting. They also pointed out that she admitted to having committed the crimes and asked for forgiveness.
In addition to this, they said, she is a student at the African Leadership University (ALU) and needs to study.
The court will read the verdict on November 6.
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