Police have a woman reporting to CID every day since August 26
former Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence
Chairperson of the People’s national Congress and former Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence, made another of what has become a pilgrimage to the
Georgetown Magistrates’ Court today. Again she was slapped with charges pertaining to electoral fraud. Also appearing alongside her and charged with conspiracy was PNC activist, Carol Joseph. Attorney at Law, Nigel Hughes, accompanied by attorney Darren Wade was later required to address the situation. “Ms. Volda Lawrence, Mr. Clairmont Mingo and Ms. Carol Smith-Joseph were all charged. Ms. Volda Lawrence had one charge, Ms. Carol SmithJoseph had three charges. Two were of conspiracy to defraud. She was jointly charged with Ms. Lawrence.
“Mr. Mingo had three charges. One of forgery for which he has been jointly charged with Ms. Joseph, and two others of conspiracy.” This time the bail
amount was $30,000 on each charge. The matter has been adjourned to October 28. Mr. Hughes said that the charges are the same that have been applied. At the same time the defence has not seen any statements in relation to any of the charges. “Both Ms. Lawrence and Ms. Joseph attended video-recorded interviews at which the same questions were asked of them previously. “These were repeated yesterday. So one is at a loss to find out the basis for these charges, particularly when they are existing charges. “Ms. Joseph is of course appearing before the court
for the first time.” Mr. Hughes said that today, like any other time when his clients have had to appear in court, he asked that for the purposes of efficiency the prosecution should bring all the charges at one time. This would allow for the defence to determine the most efficient way to have the charges heard by the different magistrates. “Bringing them in drips every week or every two days does not help, particularly when you have reported to the courts that you have not completed your investigations.
“Our proposal was that they take a long date so when they are confident that they have concluded their investigations we would be aware of all the charges. “At that stage we could sit down and decide which cases could go forward, which cases are not going forward and which witnesses are going to come. “The present way in which they have elected to conduct this results in great inconvenience to all the people charged. Mr. Mingo has to travel from West Coast Berbice; Ms. Joseph, every time she has to go to the CID Headquarters at Eve
Leary, she has to travel from West Coast Berbice.” He said that this could be a burden, especially at this time of COVID. Organising the charges would be a help to these people, according to Mr. Hughes. “Of course, if you complete your investigation, you have one mass interview, then they come to court to deal with the charges. “These charges may be without foundation but we will address them at the time. But having them come every day, every two days every week; the administration probably
has some other intent.” Ms. Lawrence was one frustrated woman. “Come back for Act 1; Scene 5. Come back before the Chief Magistrate. Today they read several charges against myself and my sister. And let me tell you the truth, I stop listening. “Let them just do what they think they can continue to do here on earth and God would do the rest.” But there was something upsetting amidst all the happenings. And these happenings involve the women employed by the Guyana Elections Commission. “I was very touched when I heard they had been reporting to CID
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since August 26. One has a sick mother living way over the river. (This woman) got to come every day and report. That is money that she has to spend that she doesn’t have. “This morning when the other name was calling in there, in court, she was in CID.” The police had sent charges for this woman while they had her sitting at CID headquarters, Eve Leary. And there was evidence of continued
harassment. Ms. Lawrence said that those charged were requested to report to court for 9:00 this morning. The charges did not arrive until after 10:00. “This is harassment. This is nothing to do with law and order and forgery and what else. This is just harassment. “In my own purview, I feel that they got to please somebody so every other week they got to march us to CID.” The matter has been adjourned
Three more escape from Lusignan Prison
Three inmates who are said to be facing murder-related charges have escaped from the Lusignan Prison. They have been identified as Mark Rafino, Alex Mathias and Arnold Kennedy. Rafino was committed to stand trial for the attempted murder of a barber at Richmond. He was granted bail and was also on trial for the robbery of a money changer and his daughter. Matthias was accused of the murder of a man at Pomona Housing Scheme in December 2018 Kennedy and several others were accused of the murder of Alvin Seenarine, called ‘Chockoloo’, of 820 ‘G’ Zeelugt North, East Bank Essequibo in July 2019. A report from Police Headquarters said that the prisoners escaped by jumping the south eastern fence of the Prison. An intensive
manhunt for the prisoners is currently underway as investigations continue. Police are asking persons to report any suspicious individuals or activities to the nearest police station or call 2256411. The Lusignan prison has experienced several escapes and incidents of violence over the last few months. Leroy Graham escaped from a burnt section of the prison on September 21 and just over a week later, James Moore, escaped while he was placed on kitchen duty. Two inmates were killed by prison officers during a riot that occurred following a visit from the Minister of Health and the Minister of Home Affairs. On October 16, prisoners attempted to kill Aszim Shivgobin who was on remand for the murder of Canadian citizen, Nicholas Jaipaul.
Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971
