Friday June 29, 2018
IMC regains control of Public Service Credit Union The High Court on Wednesday issued another order, which essentially allows the Government’s Interim Management Committee, (IMC) to regain control of the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union, (GPSCCU). The order, which was issued by Justice Gino Persaud discharged previous orders of Court. The GPSCCU’s management committee, which has been criticised for the manner in which it handled the financial affairs of the Union, had secured an interim order to remove the government-appointed IMC. However, yesterday the Chief Co-operatives Development Officer, (CCDO) attached to the Ministry of Social Protection Labour Department, Perlina Gifth, secured orders on the grounds that full disclosure was not made by the original management committee in its applications to the court. Among other things, Gifth contended that the injunctions previously granted on June 19, 2018 to the original management committee “would place the Credit Union itself in severe financial peril and the members of the Credit Union would suffer hardship if funds are dissipated and records to trace transmissions are lost.” She also noted that the former Secretary/Manager, Trevor James Benn, had no authority to file an application, since he did not show in his pleadings to this Honourable Court that he was duly authorised by at least one third of the members of the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union Limited. The CCDO also stated in her affidavit that Benn was not authorised to swear to the affidavit on behalf of the Credit Union, as he ceased functioning as Secretary/Manager from May 25, 2018, in keeping with a letter that was delivered to him, accord-
IMC Manager Justice Prem Persaud
IMC Chairman Trevor L. Benn
ing to the regulations. On June 16, last, the battle for control of the GPSCCU shifted to the High Court. Chairman of the union, Patricia Went, filed court action against the decision by the CCDO to assume control of the union and appoint an Interim Management Committee, led by Justice Prem Persaud (ret’d). The other members of the IMC are Patsy Russell, Trevor L. Benn, Rajdai Jagarnauth, Gillian Pollard, Oneidge Walrond- Allicock, Patrick Mentore and George Vaughn. Trevor L. Benn is Chairman of the IMC. Accordin g t o c o u r t documents, Went sought an injunction restraining Justice Persaud and the other members of the IMC from carrying out their functions until the matter is determined by the court. Went claims that the decision by the Chief Co-operative Development Officer or the Commissioner for Co-operative Development to assume control of the union is unlawful and in breach of the Co-operative Societies Act Cap. 88:01. She also contended that the letter dated May 25, 2018, was in breach of and a denial of the principles of Natural
Justice and legitimate expectations and ultra vires the powers of the Chief Co-operative Development Officer and/or Commissioner for Co-operative Development under the Co-operative Societies Act. Went also asked for a declaration that the members of the IMC cease to function with effect from the 25th day of May, 2018. Their appointment was unlawful, she argued. But the Ministry of Social Protection had indicated that its CCDO was acting in conformity with the provisions of the Co-operative Societies Act. It was disclosed that the decisions were taken after carefully considering the “unsatisfactory performance” of the previous management team, which failed to manage the affairs of the society in the best interest of its members and within the parameters of the relevant laws. It was revealed by the Ministry, that it has been monitoring the performance of the replaced delinquent management team for several years, but was not satisfied that the affairs of the credit union were being handled within the realms of integrity, transparency and most of all, professionalism.
‘Zipper’ cocaine trial draws to a close After months of trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Senior Magistrate Leron Daly yesterday said that she had found sufficient evidence against businessman, Andre Gomes, known as ‘Zipper’ - who is charged for trafficking cocaine and told the court that she will rule on the matter on July 9. Gomes, 57, of 32 Craig Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, is currently on remand for having in his possession 992 grams of cocaine. He denied the charge which alleged that on January 30, last, he had the aforementioned amount of the illicit drug for the purpose of trafficking. Yesterday after the Magis-
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Kaieteur News
trate ruled that a prima facie case had been established, the man’s lawyer Mark Waldron told the court that his client would like to give an unsworn testimony. Gomes, in his unsworn testimony to the court, stated “My name is Andre Gomes and I live at Lot 32 Craig Street, Campbellville, Georgetown.” The matter is being prosecuted by Customs Anti Narcotics Unit, (CANU) Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford. According to reports, CANU ranks, acting on information, conducted an operation in Craig Street at the residence of Gomes where a quantity of narcotics (992 grams of cocaine) , cash, jewellery and other valuables were seized. On Gomes’ first appearance,
his lawyer had told the court that his client is the owner of D&D Pawn Shop. He added that the cocaine was not found at his client’s premises, but in the alleyway next to the house. Last year, CANU issued a wanted bulletin for Gomes in relation to nine kilograms of cocaine found in a gas cylinder. The gas cylinder was discovered at an apartment which he rented for his 51year- old girlfriend, Naomi Persaud. Persaud was taken into custody with her teenage grandson. She pleaded guilty to the charge. She was jailed for four years and fined $21M. As a result of her guilty plea, the charge was dismissed against the teen.
Three remanded for trafficking Venezuelans
Lawrence Williams
June Williams
Aretha Gould
A couple and their friend, who allegedly circulated four Venezuelans for sex, were yesterday charged and remanded to prison. It is alleged that between November 1, last, and May 31, 2018, at Itaka Mazuruni, in the Essequibo Magisterial District, Lawrence Williams, June Williams and Aretha Gould, recruited, transported and harboured four Venezuelans for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The three accused were charge separately and were not required to plead to the
indictable charges. The matters were held incamera, with members of the public and the media being asked to exit the courtroom. Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers strongly objected to bail being granted to the defendants citing the prevalence of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts. According to information, the couple are owners of a hotel and Gould is the owner of a bar. The couple would normally carry the victims at the bar where they would meet
clients and go back to the hotel where they were allegedly being prostituted and held against their will. This publication was informed that the victims would normally have to give the three persons their earnings and they would normally split it among themselves. The prosecutor’s objection was upheld and the accused were remanded to prison. They were instructed to make their next court appearances on July 5 at the Bartica Magistrates’ Courts.