Shema, 48, is accused of issuing unfunded cheques and obtaining another person’s property through fraud. He denies the charges.

The court ordered his detention on September 2, 2026, citing the ongoing investigation and the fact that the offences he is accused of carry prison sentences of more than two years.

IGIHE has learned that Shema filed his appeal at the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court on September 4. A hearing date has not yet been set.

During the August 26 hearing, prosecutors argued that there were strong grounds linking Shema to the alleged offences and that he could flee if released while investigations were ongoing.

The case relates to an agreement worth more than €1 million between Shema’s company, Africa Medical Supplier Plc, and UAE-based ABZL International General Trading LLC. The agreement, signed in January 2024, involved supplying medical equipment under a World Bank-funded contract for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Prosecutors said Shema’s company failed to meet its payment obligations and later issued two cheques worth $400,000 and $200,000 in August 2025. They said the bank confirmed the cheques were not backed by sufficient funds, with the company’s account holding only $1,183 during the relevant period.

Shema told the court that the dispute arose from problems with ABZL’s bank account and disagreements among its shareholders. He said his company had previously paid $800,000 under the agreement and maintained that he had acted in good faith.

His lawyer, Sangano Yves, argued that the matter was fundamentally a commercial dispute and questioned the evidence surrounding the cheques.

Shema also told the court that he owns assets worth more than Rwf5 billion that could be used as bail security and pledged not to evade justice if released.