A South Sudanese student, Viola Eli Bibi Albert, is facing possible jail time in Rwanda after being accused of assaulting a university professor and threatening to kill him during a dispute over grades.
The Kigali High Court heard the case on Thursday and set July 31, 2026, for the final ruling.
Prosecutors are seeking a 3-year prison sentence, a fine of 500,000 Rwandan francs, and over 9.2 million Rwandan francs in compensation for the Lecturer.
Court documents indicate the disagreement started after the student scored 23 out of 60 in a course. She allegedly asked the professor to add seven marks to help her pass, but he declined. The argument later turned physical.
Viola admitted to assaulting the professor and apologized, saying she acted out of anger and frustration with her academic performance. She however denied making death threats.
The professor declined court-led reconciliation efforts, stating he could not forgive someone who allegedly threatened his life. The court will deliver its final verdict on July 31, 2026.
