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Constable Eli Ndatuje was acquitted of all charges related to alleged use of RCMP database to assist Rwanda. Judge Josh Wilkins cited insufficient evidence after a lengthy investigation.
CALGARY - Const. Eli Ndatuje, a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, was found not guilty of all three charges that accused him of using a police database to help the country of Rwanda.
Ndatuje Cleared of Rwanda Database Charges
Justice Josh Wilkins delivered his verdict on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, at the Red Deer Justice Centre courthouse, and the decision was reported by The Canadian Press. The charges brought against Ndatuje were under the Criminal Code and the Security of Information Act. Prosecutors alleged that in 2022 he accessed the RCMP computer database after a request from a friend at the Rwandan High Commission in Ottawa to aid in a missing persons case.
Ndatuje denied ever providing any information to the embassy and said his search was a mistake. A comprehensive investigation was undertaken, involving 20 to 30 officers and civilian staff. Investigators used wiretaps and conducted interviews with the accused following the alleged breach. Despite the extensive resources devoted to the case, the court found the evidence gathered was lacking to sustain the charges.
"In the absence of concrete evidence that the data was actually misused, the burden of proof was not met," Judge Wilkins said. He added that the trial had shown that Ndatuje had never acted as a traitor or spy. Ndatuje, who says he was in the wrong but not a threat to national security, exhibited remorse during court.
He admitted his decision to search the database was "dumb," but maintained that he did not share any information with the Rwandan government. The ruling comes after an investigative report that outlined how the evidence was collected. Wiretap logs, CCTV footage, and internal communications were all considered.
RCMP Review and Security of Information Act Response
However, prosecutors could not link the data accessed to the Rwandan High Commission, and witnesses were unable to confirm that Ndatuje supplied any information. The judge emphasized that the lack of evidence does not necessarily mean Ndatuje's conduct was lawful. It only means there was no proof of wrongdoing sufficient to meet the legal standard of guilt. The RCMP released a statement indicating that the agency remains committed to protecting secure information and will continue to review its internal protocols.
An independent review will be conducted to assess any lessons learned from this case. This verdict also clarifies that no new civil or criminal charges are expected for Ndatuje, as the federal prosecutor's office confirmed that the case would not be reconceived. The broader context involves heightened scrutiny over foreign access to Canadian data. The government has been reviewing legislation related to the Security of Information Act, with the Cabinet considering amendments to tighten protections.
Public interest in the case reflects concerns about national security and the integrity of law enforcement databases. In announcements made after the verdict, several civic groups urged the RCMP to increase transparency around database access requests. The case highlights the complex balancing act between upholding privacy rights and accommodating legitimate investigative requests.
While the judiciary concluded that Ndatuje did not commit a crime, experts point out the need for clearer guidelines on how police databases can be accessed for foreign entities. NDATUJE'S ACCOMPLISHMENT The ex-officer's case remains a cautionary tale for RCMP staff. He was pleasantly surprised by the judge's statement that he had been given "an extensive investigation" and that there were "no credible findings" linking him to wrongdoing.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that his actions could be misinterpreted as a violation. The Canadian Press The Canadian Press continues to monitor developments in security and law enforcement policy following this ruling.
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CTVToronto:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Politics Prairies/BC RCMP Alberta Rwanda Database Security Court Ruling
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