Court orders summons for Lumumba

May 19, 2012 News

… other defendant placed on $25 bail
Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton issued a court summons for Presidential Advisor on Empowerment

Odinga Lumumba

Odinga Lumumba, yesterday, after he failed to present himself before the court to answer charges brought against him by Onika Beckles, a woman he allegedly assaulted at a polling station during the 2011 General Elections.
It is understood that the government official has a charge of assault and provoking the peace awaiting him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Beckles was also charged when she appeared before the Magistrate. The police charged Beckles for obstructing access to a polling station without due authority.
They said that on November 28, last, at polling station 413441B, Lot 455 Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Beckles without authority obstructed Gomattie Calicharran from access to the polling place. To the charge, Beckles pleaded not guilty.
Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes represented the defendant. He made a bail application on her behalf. Hughes said that at the time of the incident the defendant was the Presiding Officer at the polling station.
He continued that Beckles had no brushes with any legal entities in Guyana and further said that she was not a flight risk. He asked that the woman be sent on her own recognizance since she made her appearance in court about 45 minutes after being notified about the charge against her, having had to leave her classes at the University.
He said Beckles’ action was a clear indication of her willingness to present herself to the court.
The court then granted Beckles bail in the sum of $25 after the prosecutor said she had no reason to object to the woman’s pre-trail liberty.
Lumumba on the other hand will have to present himself before Magistrate Judy Latchman in Court Three on June 20 to plead to the charges against him. Beckles’ trial is expected to commence on June 27 before the said Magistrate.

Onika Beckles

In early January, the Director of Public Prosecutions recommended that Lumumba and Beckles be charged with separate offences that stemmed from their altercation on Elections Day, last year November.
It is alleged that Beckles prevented a political party candidate from entering the Polling Station where she presided. It is further alleged that the officer was forced to call the police to the Polling Station after Lumumba verbally abused her and shoved her against a wall.

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