The Kicukiro Primary Court has ordered the provisional detention of four suspects for 30 days over their alleged role in the circulation of explicit videos involving popular musician Yampanon, while one suspect was released for lack of sufficient grounds.
Those remanded include Uzabakiriho Cyprien, commonly known as Djihad, Ishimwe Patrick alias Pazzo Man, and Kwizera Nestor, also known as Pappy Nesta. The court ruled that they should remain in custody as investigations continue.
In the same decision, the court ordered the immediate release of Kalisa John, popularly known as K John, after finding no strong reasons to justify his continued detention.
The court further instructed that the detained suspects be transferred to prison to begin serving the 30-day provisional detention period.
During earlier proceedings, Pappy Nesta told the court that he obtained the videos from a friend, Nyinawumuntu Florence, after learning they were already circulating.
He admitted sharing them with two friends, including Kalisa John, upon their request.
However, he denied being responsible for their initial circulation, arguing that the videos were recorded by Yampanon himself and uploaded to an email account accessible to several people.
The court questioned the prosecution on how the footage first leaked, with the presiding judge noting that Yampanon could be considered the initial source since he recorded and uploaded the videos while knowing others had access to the account.
In response, the prosecution said the videos were recorded by Yampanon and his partner and later downloaded by Ishimwe Patrick Pazzo, described as the artist’s adviser, who allegedly shared them with an individual based in Canada.
The prosecution claims the videos were then disseminated on social media platforms.
Pappy Nesta and his lawyer argued that his actions do not amount to a criminal offence, insisting that the person who first circulated the videos has been clearly identified.
Regarding Djihad, prosecutors said he is being charged after Yampanon accused him of sharing the explicit content.
They alleged that Djihad posted a still image from the videos on his WhatsApp status, raising suspicion that he was involved in their circulation.
Prosecutors also cited an expert report indicating that the videos were shared in a WhatsApp group of Djihad’s fans.
However, they acknowledged that although Djihad created the group, investigations found that another individual, identified as Rukundo Hertier, was the one who posted the videos.
Djihad denied all charges, telling the court that he never shared or posted the videos, despite having seen them.
The suspects were arrested at different times following the widespread circulation of explicit videos showing Yampanon engaged in sexual activity with his partner.
