Ramjattan is showing his true colours

Feb 07, 2019 Letters

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Dear Editor,

I am a UK-based lawyer (born to Guyanese parents) and like so many young Guyanese both here in the diaspora and at home, we are very much inclined to hold our politicians accountable. Any other prevailing mindset does not have a role now or in the future. This is the mindset of now and the future.
My other interests in developments in Guyana relate to my profession as senior lawyer – specialising in the areas of Money Laundering and International Financial crimes.
Given this background and interest, I have been closely following the matters involving SOCU and their likely consequences.
As a matter of fact, media reports of developments at SOCU often lead to informal discussions with colleagues at my City of London Chambers.
It is within the aforementioned context that I read with shuddering shock and disbelief, the astounding statement carried in the media about the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan’s, sentiments about the unfortunate and disappointing departure of the SOCU’s Financial Analyst and Lead Investigator/witness in a number of high profile ongoing matters presently engaging the courts. These matters will not be adversely affected.
It is the view of many of my learned colleagues and I that given the fact Mr. Ramjattan is a lawyer further compounds the absurdity of the statement allegedly coming from the Minister. I caution if the statement reflects Mr. Ramjattan sentiments, then Mr. Ramjattan worryingly does not possess the vaguest of awareness of the complex matters of financial crimes, investigation and testimony.
Mr. Ramjattan’s statement is particularly more of concern and worry as it smacks of irresponsibility and grave incompetence at best. Is he fit and proper for the portfolio that he is holding?
Mr. Ramjattan leaves one to question his commitment to uncompromisingly addressing allegations by his coalition partners about alleged corruption and money laundering committed by the previous administration.
Does Ramjattan’s action speak of someone who has any commitment to go after those who have raided the treasury rampantly? I believe Mr. Ramjattan’s sentiments raise more questions than answers in this regard.
This goes to the heart of the matter about the way young Guyanese view their leaders’ commitment to ending the cancer of corruption that has enveloped our nation.
Even if Mr. Ramjattan could have procured the best forensic analyst money can buy, to replace the outgoing one, given the nature, complexity and stage of the current matters before the courts, it would be unlikely that the matters would be brought to successful conclusion as far as the prosecution is concerned.
Mr. Ramjattan needs to understand that the complexity of financial crimes are in a league of its own and replacing the lead witness mid way through trial is unheard of and demonstrates simplicity and flagrant irresponsibility at it’s very best, to put it politely.
We are speaking here of irresponsibly discarding diligent time consuming investigative work, intimate case management knowledge and impulse, which is pivotal to the success of these matters. We risk evidence contamination especially in an environment where corruption thrives and I can go on for pages.
With all I have said, I can put my reputation on the line here and predict that those significant matters the courts were engaged with will collapse through technicality or other substance fact in the near future as a result of this singular action by Mr. Ramjattan.
Mr. Ramjattan’s intentions are blatantly obvious. Mr. Ramjattan has singularly pierced the heart of SOCU and any chances it had to get successful prosecutions in these matters.
Defence lawyers are going to have a field day in court with the prosecution’s witnesses. Pity the helpless ‘replacement specialists’ Mr. Ramjattan has identified. Young Guyanese in the diaspora and at home are asking ourselves how does our government allow its ministers to commit such horrendous errors unhindered.
Young Guyanese in Guyana are crying out that they are sick to the bone with this prevalent modus operandi.
Is this the outcome Mr. Ramjattan intended, letting them off the hook? Is this Mr. Ramjattan’s feeble excuse to discard a key campaign promise – to prosecute those who have treated Guyana’s treasury as their own fiefdom. Has Mr. Ramjattan lost focus?
Not being satisfied with showing his stripes, Ramjattan goes on further. In a media report, Ramjattan boldly states that he would rehire Sittlington. Has Ramjattan gone rogue? Sittlington’s actions demonstrate that he was not serving the interests of SOCU or Guyanese.
In light of the revelations about Sittlington, how could a senior Minister of Government make such a statement and so soon after? Are the coalition’s partners in a coma? Someone needs to call out the naked semi emperor.
Similarly, Ramjattan has even dismissed his AFC party’s leader endorsement of Mr Nagamootoo to be the Prime Ministerial candidate as simply Trotman’s opinion. Clearly his sentiments and regard for Trotman as the AFC’s leader are no longer a secret.
Ramjattan has now made it clear that he doesn’t care two hoots about adding this sordid mess to his legacy of ineffectiveness, prison breaks, allegations of corruption and the rest that will make him go down as the most incompetent and ineffective Minister of Public Security.
For the sake of Guyana, Ramjattan has to be called out now!

Name Withheld

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