Latest update April 4th, 2025 6:13 AM
Several high profile anti-corruption cases held up by Magistrates Court
– Attorney General
The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has seen significant improvement in the number of files referred for prosecution for its core function and other financial crimes, according to Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs, Basil Williams.
Williams indicated there are about 14 files awaiting evidence from State Agencies for criminal charges to be instituted.
Further, Williams noted that there are several high profile investigations that have been held up as a result of the Magistrates Court’s refusal to grant Court Orders where there are no pending causes or matters before the Court. This is in pursuant to the Evidence Act Cap. 5:03.
Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs, Basil Williams
“Currently, there are more than 40 files awaiting the decision of the Honourable Chief Justice, Madam Justice Roxanne George with respect to the issue of Misconduct in Public Office. Further, there are about 14 other files awaiting evidence from State Agencies for criminal charges to be instituted,” Williams noted.
These high-profile corruption and money-laundering investigations include the ‘Pradoville Two case,’ in which over 12 acres of prime lands were sold to several ex-ministers and state officials during the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) tenure in office.
Williams stated that since the amendment to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act which made money laundering a hybrid offence, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) during the period October 2017 to October 2018, submitted 18 referrals to SOCU.
This included that of Guyanese Shervington ‘Big Head’ Lovell, who was extradited to the United States on drug trafficking charges after his arrest in Jamaica.
According to Williams, the work of SOCU has resulted in several criminal and civil files for prosecution, including one money laundering file referred for prosecution and two civil forfeiture applications to the High Court.
Some of the cases referred for prosecution include those related to the Guyana Bank for Trade and Investment (GBTI), Omar Shariff; the former Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President who is being investigated in relation to his acquisition of $20B; and the Guyana Gold Board, Guyana Marketing Corporation.
Former senior officials of the PPP administration have also been charged, including former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, Winston Brassington, Dharamkumar Seeraj, Nigel Dharmlall, Anil Nandlal, and Irfaan Ali.
Williams said there are also 22 other forensic audits/ corruption type investigations involving billions.
He also spoke of the misappropriation of the Lotto fund, and several related to the dissipation of billions of Guyana and United States of America currencies overseas. The Attorney General stated that the local authorities are awaiting evidence they requested through Mutual Legal Assistance from overseas jurisdictions.
Additionally, he highlighted the $100B money laundering investigation involving Siddiqi Rasul.
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