Court grants SOCU permission to access Brutus and Nicholson’s bank statements

Mar 14, 2025 News

Kaieteur News-Acting Chief Magistrate, Faith McGusty, on Thursday, granted the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) permission to inspect and obtain copies of bank statements belonging to former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Calvin Brutus and his co-defendant, businessman, Corwin Nicholson.

Court grants SOCU permission to access Brutus and Nicholson’s bank statements

Former Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus

The ruling was handed down at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

SOCU, in a statement following the decision, said, “Acting Chief Magistrate, Faith McGusty in a decisive blow to the defence Lawyers Eusi Anderson and Domonic Bess, granted the SOCU’s application to access and take copies of Brutus’ and Nicholson’s bank accounts under the Evidence Act Cap 5.03.”

Additionally, Magistrate McGusty directed SOCU to file another Banker’s Application that includes a request for electronic banking documents.

On January 17, 2025, SOCU had applied for an order to access the duo’s bank accounts to provide the court with certified copies of banking documents related to several criminal offenses currently pending before the courts.

SOCU outlined that defense counsels, Eusi Anderson and Dominic Bess, argued the prosecution’s application was a “fishing expedition” and claimed the requested documents did not fall under the category of what constitutes a Banker’s Book under Section 2 of the Evidence Act Cap 5.01.

SOCU, however, contended that the requested records were critical to establishing the charges instituted against Brutus and Nicholson and that the banking records are relevant to show that Brutus and Nicholson received payments for goods that were never delivered to the Guyana Police Force.

Contractor: Corwin Nicholson

However, SOCU countered, asserting that the requested records were crucial to establishing the charges against Brutus and Nicholson. According to SOCU, the banking records are essential to demonstrate that Brutus and Nicholson received payments for goods that were never delivered to the Police Force.

“The Prosecution (SOCU), in relying on legal authorities, argued that an entry within the meaning of a “banker’s book” was wide enough to include any form of permanent record kept by the bank in its ordinary day-to-day transactions, inclusive of electronic documents, and that Section 2 of the Act contemplated electronic data forming part of a bank’s record,” the statement said.

The ruling faced multiple delays due to additional applications made by the defence and requests for further details from the prosecution.

Brutus, Nicholson and Police Sergeant Latoya Brummel, are jointly charged with seven counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretence. The charges allege that between December 1, 2023, and January 31, 2024, at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Headquarters at Eve Leary, Kingston, Georgetown, the trio conspired to defraud the State. They are accused of unlawfully collecting substantial sums—ranging from $14 million to $14.8 million—on multiple occasions for goods that were never delivered.

Brutus is charged with 252 counts while Nicholson is charged with 14 counts of financial crimes.

(Court grants SOCU permission to access Brutus and Nicholson’s bank statements)

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