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Justice - 22 March 2026

Court Orders 30-Day Detention for Mike Habinshuti in Drug Case

By Sarah Ndaya3 min readFrançais

Kigali, 13 March 2026 - The Kicukiro Primary Court has ordered 30 days of detention for Mike Habinshuti, a former advisor to Rwandan artist Bruce Melodie, as investigations continue into alleged cocaine trafficking. Habinshuti was arrested on 18 February 2026 and is suspected of involvement in the purchase and distribution of illegal drugs. According to preliminary findings, he is alleged to have bought cocaine worth 3,970,000 Rwandan francs between November and December 2025. Investigators claim the substances were sourced from a Nigerian supplier identified as James Ogbu and later distributed to various clients. Habinshuti was previously known in the local entertainment industry for his association with Bruce Melodie, although the two are no longer working closely. He had also been mentioned in sports management circles, notably within Rayon Sports, where he was appointed deputy director in November 2025 before the committee was later dissolved. The case remains under investigation as authorities continue efforts to combat drug trafficking and related criminal activities.

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