Rwanda’s Chief Prosecutor Requests Extradition of Chinese Businessman for Forgery and Tax Evasion Charges
Ugandan authorities have been formally requested to apprehend and extradite Mr. Chen Chao, a prominent Chinese businessman residing in Kampala, on charges of forgery and tax evasion.
This request comes in response to an international warrant of arrest issued on September 22 by Aimable Havugiyaremye, the head of Rwanda’s National Prosecution Authority.
The 38-year-old businessman, who is believed to be under the protection of a senior police officer in Uganda, is the central figure in a case arising from a contract valued at over $12 million, awarded by King Faisal Hospital Limited to Power China International.
The contract was intended for the construction of an outpatient department in Kigali.
However, Power China International subcontracted the work to its subsidiary, Power China Guizhou Engineering, which, in turn, delegated it to Mr. Chao’s Entec Technology Company Limited, registered in Kenya.
Allegedly, the work was not completed satisfactorily, and Entec Technology abandoned the project.
When Power China Guizhou Engineering attempted to claim a warranty bond worth $610,322 offered by Entec Technology, Sidian Bank of Kenya disowned the guarantee.
Rwandan authorities suspect that the bond may have been forged.
Furthermore, investigations by Rwanda Revenue Authority unveiled an unpaid tax bill of Rwf21,840,259 (equivalent to about Ushs67 million). Mr. Chao faces a potential jail term of between five and seven years, along with a fine, if convicted of these charges.