Ex-Rwanda PM in court for writing invalid cheques

Former Rwanda Prime Minister Pierre-Damien Habumuremyi has appeared in court in the capital, Kigali, on charges of issuing cheques that were not backed by funds in the bank.

Mr Habumuremyi, in office between 2011 and 2014, was arrested a few weeks ago. In court, he denied the charges and applied for bail.

The former prime minister, who also served as education minister, owns a private university. He is accused of failing to pay suppliers and writing cheques that could not be cashed.

The former prime minister told the court he was in the process of paying his accusers, and asked to be released to be able to carry on.

The court will decide on his bail application next week.