Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) president Shema Ngoga Fabrice has been remanded in provisional detention for 30 days over allegations of issuing bounced cheques worth a combined $600,000 and obtaining property through fraudulent means.
The Nyarugenge Primary Court delivered the ruling on Wednesday, rejecting Shema’s request to be released pending further proceedings.
The court found that there were strong grounds to suspect him of the offences and that the charges carry prison sentences of more than two years, among the reasons it considered sufficient to order his detention.
The case stems from a commercial dispute involving Africa Medical Supplier, a company associated with Shema, and UAE-based ABZL International General Trading LLC.
According to prosecutors, the companies entered into an agreement worth more than €1 million, under which Africa Medical Supplier was expected to make payments within 60 days.
The prosecution alleges that Shema later issued two cheques from an I&M Bank account—one for $400,000 and another for $200,000—despite insufficient funds in the account.
Investigators reportedly found that the account held only $1,183 during the period in question, far below the $600,000 covered by the two cheques.
Prosecutors argued that Shema could flee or interfere with the ongoing investigation if released, and asked the court to order 30 days of provisional detention.
Shema has denied the allegations and maintained that the case arises from a commercial dispute rather than criminal conduct.
He told the court that his company had previously made substantial payments to ABZL and that difficulties later emerged over the bank account through which payments were to be made.
Shema also disputed how the cheques were handled. He alleged that one of ABZL’s shareholders, who later filed the complaint, took two cheques he had signed without dates and added payment details and dates without his authorisation.
He questioned why a cheque allegedly intended for payment in the United Arab Emirates was later presented through a US Bank account in the United States.
His defence further argued that the matter should be treated as a commercial dispute between two companies and challenged aspects of the evidence concerning the cheques.
Shema offered property worth about Rwf5 billion as security for his release and argued that he had strong ties to Rwanda, including his family, businesses and responsibilities as FERWAFA president.
His lawyer also told the court that efforts were underway to settle the outstanding amount and that money was available in Africa Medical Supplier’s account, although the account had been frozen by RIB.
Shema was arrested by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) on August 11 and appeared before court on August 26 for the provisional detention hearing.
The case concerns Shema’s business activities and is not an allegation of misconduct in his capacity as FERWAFA president. RIB has previously linked the investigation to his private professional activities.
Shema was elected FERWAFA president in August 2025, succeeding Alphonse Munyantwari.
The court’s decision concerns pre-trial detention and does not amount to a finding of guilt. Shema remains presumed innocent unless convicted by a court.
