A 27-year-old man is facing a possible 20-year prison sentence after being accused of defiling a 17-year-old girl and making her his wife in a case currently before the court in Huye District.
The accused, identified as Jean Paul Ndikuryayo, is alleged to have lived with the minor and impregnated her while she was still under the legal age. The alleged offence took place in Matyazo Cell, Ngoma Sector, in Huye District, Southern Province.
According to the prosecution, Ndikuryayo had been living with the girl after reportedly taking her as his wife. However, the relationship later turned violent following an incident that led the girl to file a complaint with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
Prosecutors told the court that Ndikuryayo returned home late at night and found the girl at the house where they were living together. A dispute allegedly broke out, during which he assaulted her and forced her to leave the house.
Following the incident, the girl reported the matter to RIB, accusing Ndikuryayo of defiling her while she was still a minor and forcing her into a marital-like relationship.
Investigations conducted by RIB established that the girl was 17 years old at the time she began living with the accused. Authorities relied on her birth certificate to confirm her age.
During the court hearing, Ndikuryayo admitted that he had lived with the girl but insisted that he believed she was an adult.
He told the court that he thought the girl was 23 years old, although he acknowledged that she had never shown him an identity document to confirm her age.
The presiding judge questioned the accused on how the court could verify his claim.
“How can the court rely on what you are telling us?” the judge asked.
In response, Ndikuryayo maintained his position and said the court should verify the girl’s identification documents.
“Bring her identification. If it shows that what I said is not true, then I should be punished,” he told the court.
Despite the case against him, Ndikuryayo told the court that he still loves the girl and considers her his wife.
The prosecution, when given the floor again, stated that their complaint was supported by the girl’s birth certificate proving that she is a minor, and that the accused should present evidence showing that the girl is an adult. However, they argued that since he admitted to the offence, he should be sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Jean Paul Ndikuryayo was again given the opportunity to speak and said that the sentence requested by the prosecution was too harsh. He asked the court to release him so he could take care of the child they had together, arguing that the girl’s mother might remarry and the child could end up being neglected.
The judge told Jean Paul Ndikuryayo to do everything possible to obtain a document proving that the girl is an adult so that the court could base its decision on it. If such a document is not provided, the court will make its ruling based on the available evidence.
The judge said the verdict will be delivered on March 12, 2026.
