Nyabihanga : a police officer sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a motorcyclist

SOS Médias Burundi

Nyabihanga (Gitega), April 11, 2026 — The Nyabihanga First Instance Court, in Gitega province, in the heart of the small East African nation, sentenced a police officer to life imprisonment on Thursday, April 9, 2026, for the murder of a motorcyclist. The case was heard in a special session in Mwaro, as part of a summary trial.

The defendant, 23-year-old Osias Irankunda, was prosecuted for fatally shooting Nestor Ininahazwe on April 4, 2026. According to the prosecution, the tragedy occurred after the victim refused to buy him a beer.

During the hearing, the accused denied the charges, claiming self-defense. He asserted that the victim was part of a group of about ten individuals, whom he described as bandits, who had allegedly attacked the Kibungere parish with the intention of committing a robbery.

This version of events failed to convince the court.

In its closing arguments, the prosecution had requested a life sentence for the defendant. The victim’s family, for their part, demanded compensation of 500 million Burundi francs.

In his defense, the police officer pleaded for leniency from the court, stating that he was unable to pay such a large sum, emphasizing that, as a state employee, he had never received such a large amount.

After deliberation, the court followed the prosecution’s recommendations and sentenced Osias Irankunda to life imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay 100 million Burundi francs in compensation to the victim’s family.