Why was the vindictiveness to Trevor Benn necessary?

Mar 13, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

Kaieteur News – I refer to the articles titled, “APNU+AFC calls for release of Trevor Benn (SN March 11) and “Trevor Benn remains in lock-ups as land probe continues” (KN March 12). There are several things terribly and embarrassingly wrong with this development, which I have no option, but to lay at the feet of the government and its machinations. And all the way to the topmost layers.
For clarity, I was in the same conference room with Mr. Benn once; that was my only interaction, in any form, with this embattled citizen. The locking up and then continued holding of Mr. Benn, who now stands disgraced and humiliated, reeks of the mean spirited and vindictive. It is as if the messages from President Irfaan Ali are ‘we mean business’ and ‘we are going to get you’ and we will twist the knife first and then drag through the mud.’ Why?
One more time: why do our leaders have to stoop so low and in such an unbelievably dastardly manner? Why is our supposedly independent Guyana Police Force used and misused in this way to inflict what is intolerable and unacceptable on opponents hated, and who are then vilified and subject to these dishonours? We set free rapists and serial murderers and illegal firearm owners (all alleged, of course) through bail considerations. We strive to be judicious-sometimes to the detriment of society – in our courts by granting hearings and reductions in sentences to those who commit numerous barbarities on fearful citizens of this lawless land. Yet, there is this vindictiveness and viciousness aimed at and then pounded into Mr. Benn to grind his face (and that of his people) into the dust.
As is public knowledge, Mr. Benn is a senior civil servant (former). To the best of my information, Mr. Benn is not violence-prone, or a repeat felony offender. In view of what has surfaced thus far, Mr. Benn has not been held for seditious or treasonous conduct; or any involvement in conspiracies that bode ill-intent to the state or the PPP government. Yet I sense this malevolence that flourishes so richly. It is the stuff of which heroes are made and martyrs created.
I am amazed at the levels to which the PPP leadership has sunk to prove points, to score through cheap shots. Mr. Benn is entitled to the same rights that are inalienable to every citizen. That is, he is innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, until such time that he has had his day in court, he should have been released man (and immediately), and afforded every courtesy that is his under Guyana’s constitutional provisions. We do this for violent men, we do this for serial crooks, we do this for leading political scoundrels when we look the other way, and pretend that nothing illegitimate is there, and all is well.
I find it hard to believe that Mr. Benn is a flight risk, or that he would be so elusive as not to desire to clear his name by contesting in person any charges levelled against him. Let him have his due: a dignified standing before the bar of justice, true justice and not some show trial. And if he is found guilty, then throw the book at him. Jail him for a long time. Drag him through the streets, so that the crowds jeer him and all who have done similarly. But before then, I say be done with this abomination of prolonged incarceration.
It is with great relief that I greet the release of Mr. Benn yesterday; and I am glad that good sense and fair play has prevailed in this instance.
Finally, responsibility for what has been meted out to Mr. Benn, I track all the way to the house of the presidency, and to the long broad streak in its real president. I detect orchestration: a call, an order, a pervasive leadership ugliness. To President Ali, I say that if this is part of the vision of some unfolding in the undertaking of ‘One Guyana” then the best of luck. I am now utterly convinced that His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, is nothing but a marionette and a political sorcerer of a rare kind. It does not redound to his credit with deceptions of this nature. He should have the heart of a saint, but he doesn’t. He should be of the soul of multitudes, but of that he knows not.
Poultices may heal slowly, but caustic soda pierces to the heart, and quickly upsets the bearing. This is what is at work in the instance of Mr. Benn. These underhanded tactics and stratagems are very risky. I caution: Proceed at own peril. What has happened to Mr. Trevor Benn should not happen to a dog. It could have been me. Who knows who is next….?

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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Why was the vindictiveness to Trevor Benn necessary?

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