Rape allegations… Interdict Top Cop now-AFC

Dec 15, 2011 News

Greene: “Let God be the judge”

Leaders of the Alliance for Change- Leader Raphael Trotman and Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan- are calling

Embattled: Commissioner of Police Henry Greene

for the immediate removal of Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, from office.
Greene is being accused in a rape allegation involving a 34-year-old mother of two and faces a possible life sentence if found guilty under the new Sexual Offences Act which was recently enacted.
Ramjattan told media operatives yesterday during a party press briefing that they view the allegation as a very serious one and there appears to be some cogency in the woman’s account of what transpired between her and the Commissioner.
He said that it is very poignant to note that Commissioner Greene has not denied having sex with the woman at the heart of the allegation. “The AFC is saying that there must be some very intense investigation into this matter,” said Ramjattan.
The AFC Chairman was also adamant that at this stage Greene should immediately be interdicted from the Guyana Police Force. “As a matter of fact, based on what we have heard, we feel that he ought to tender his resignation or the President ought to dismiss him….but at the very least at this stage… an interdiction.”
According to Ramjattan, a citizen seeking the assistance of the Commissioner of Police and having to wait late at nights and the talk of money involved would constitute an abuse of the Commissioner’s office even if there was some level of consent… it would require an immediate resignation or dismissal on the part of Greene.
The AFC Chairman opined that if it were any other ordinary citizen that was being accused of such a heinous act, “you would have already been locked up, probably with no bail for several weeks.”
Ramjattan, a lawyer by profession, was of the opinion that the case will represent a big test for the Guyana Police Force and its commitment to the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act.
It “is very unfortunate that it is our Commissioner who will be bearing the brunt…I hope that it is dealt with and it is not that we pass laws and there is no enforcement.”
But Commissioner Greene yesterday continued to play down the allegations.
“Let God be the judge. It’s not prudent for me to make any comments right now. I’ve sought legal advice on that matter and it is engaging the attention of my lawyers,” Greene said.
AFC’s Trotman in adding his sentiments to the now topical issue said that the matter is the first real test for Head of State Donald Ramotar as President.
“Is he President or is he a weakling?” asked Trotman, adding that if nothing happens, it would impact heavily on the Head of State.
Speaking to the call for an interdiction of the Commissioner who is already past retirement age and is current on an extension contract, Trotman was worried that Greene remaining there could impact on the investigation.
“It is not as if it is a public citizen who is being investigated by the police.”
Trotman too insisted that the Top Cop be taken off of the job because of the possibility of interference with the investigation on the part of the Commissioner.
“It is the man who is in charge of the investigating agency and one need not have to extrapolate and go into any details as to how that investigation could be compromised.”
In what could very well turn out to be the scandal of the year, a woman who hails from the East Coast of Demerara on Tuesday alleged to police at the Brickdam Station that she was sexually assaulted by Greene earlier this month at a city location. She was accompanied by her lawyer, Nigel Hughes.
Greene has since dismissed the woman’s claims as mere allegations and has vowed to clear his name.