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Rodney COI findings set for release today
The findings of the Commission of Inquiry, (COI) into the death of Dr Walter Rodney are set to be released today. Kaieteur News understands that the findings will be submitted to the Commission’s Secretariat before it is presented to President David Granger. The President will then decide on the public release of the document.
Dr. Rodney was killed on June 13, 1980, when a bomb exploded in a car in which he was an occupant. He was 38 years old at the time.
His brother, Donald Rodney, who suffered injuries during the explosion, alleged that a former GDF electronics expert, Sergeant Gregory Smith, had given the politician the bomb that killed him.
It was alleged that Smith planted the bomb in a walkie-talkie that blew up on Rodney’s pelvic region while he was on John Street, Werk-en-Rust, between Hadfield and Bent Streets, less than 100 metres from the Camp Street Prison.
Smith died of cancer 11 years ago in French Guiana where he had gone to live, after he had fled Guyana.
Last October, Chairman of Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (COI), Sir Richard L. Cheltenham, requested an adjournment to submit the report of the Commission’s findings.
According to Attorney General, (AG) Basil Williams, Sir Richard wrote President Granger requesting an adjournment to February 29, 2016.
However, the President has declined the request. According to Williams, Sir Richard told the President that this is the “Season where work is hardly done,” so more time is needed. He said that it is “common” in the Caribbean that work is not done at this time.
The Minister said that President Granger responded that there is an “intense” programme scheduled for next year. It includes Local Government Elections and the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations, so the request could not be accommodated. Williams had hinted that the Commission is making another attempt to smear the PNCR by this means.
“Now we are asked to go to February month end, which is almost on the eve of Local Government Elections, so you can draw your conclusions,” Williams said.
The AG shunned allegations that Granger does not want continuous hearings based on the fact that the PNCR is involved, and claims that the Commission had more than enough time to examine the key witnesses.
Williams made reference to the fact that the former government, the People’s Progressive Party Civic, had brought the former Crime Chief, Cecil ‘Skip’ Roberts, to Guyana, and put him up at Sleep In Hotel, but the Commission never made use of him.
Asked what will be the implications if the report is not handed in on December 15, Williams replied, “It doesn’t make sense speculating now.”
Almost 34 years after his death, a team of international jurists was selected to probe the killing of politician/historian, Dr. Walter Rodney.
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