Léonard Manirakiza, former Prosecutor General of the Republic, has been held at the headquarters of the intelligence services in Bujumbura since December 1, 2025. He was arrested upon returning from an official mission to Switzerland.
According to our sources, he was found in possession of a large sum of money in Burundian francs and foreign currencies, as well as precious items including gold and ivory. These were reportedly discovered in his office.
For the record, Léonard MANIRAKIZA left for a professional mission to Switzerland on November 20, 2025, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Édouard BIZIMANA.
During this trip, the High Council of the Judiciary met on November 21, 2025 and decided to dismiss him from his duties.
On November 25, 2025, the Senate met to approve his replacement as head of the Office of the Prosecutor General. Ms. Rose NKORERIMANA was approved with 100% of the votes.
🔶 A Major Seizure in His Office
Once sworn in, Ms. Rose NKORERIMANA waited for Léonard MANIRAKIZA’s return to proceed with the handover. She had clearly stated that she did not want him to enter the office in her absence. It is unclear whether she already knew that valuables were hidden there or whether she had been informed by her superiors. However, our investigations indicate that the existence of these assets was already known by some, especially higher authorities.
Shortly afterward, Manirakiza returned from Switzerland. On December 1, 2025, he came to the office and found Ms. Rose there. She informed him that they would enter together for the official handover. At that moment, he appears to have been caught off guard and had no time to remove what he had hidden, according to sources who spoke to King Umurundi Freedom on condition of anonymity.
Once inside, the situation changed dramatically. They discovered a safe containing a large amount of money — slightly more than one billion — in Burundian francs and foreign currencies, as well as two gold bars and ivory. The exact size of the gold bars was not determined.
Léonard MANIRAKIZA was asked to present documents proving the legal origin of these assets, but he was unable to do so. He reportedly began pleading for the matter to be covered up.
According to information gathered by King Umurundi Freedom, Ms. Rose refused to suppress the case and called intelligence officers, who arrived quickly and arrested Manirakiza.
Since December 1, 2025, he has been detained at the central intelligence headquarters, according to the same sources.
“The measure you use against your neighbor is the same measure that will be used against you,” say the wise.
Léonard MANIRAKIZA was often accused of corruption, abusive detentions, and extortion of citizens. Many recall a case previously reported by King Umurundi Freedom involving a resident of Buyenzi who died after being extorted by Manirakiza and unable to recover from the ordeal. This is only one of many cases in which Burundians were allegedly victimized by the man who once dominated the Ministry of Justice.
🔶 The MANIRAKIZA Case Continues
People also remember his mockery of Sixte Vigny Nimuraba, former president of the CNIDH, whom he accused of having fled “without reason” when his home was searched. Perhaps he had forgotten his own situation. Did he underestimate the risks? Did he misjudge his own analysis?
Several questions arise:
Where did the money found in MANIRAKIZA’s possession come from? How did he acquire it?
The former Prosecutor General had never been questioned over corruption, abuse of power, illegal prolonged detention, or prison overcrowding. Yet he has now been caught with gold and a massive sum of money. What is the real reason behind his downfall? Did he interfere with the financial interests of the powerful figures within the ruling system?
Will MANIRAKIZA end up in prison alongside those he himself had incarcerated—often unjustly? Those he never wanted to hear? The victims of his extortion? Or will his former allies step in to ensure his release?
The answers are expected in the second part of this investigation currently in preparation.
📸: Citizen Kayininwa, recently deceased after being stripped of a large amount of money by Léonard MANIRAKIZA.