Georgetown: Former National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Winston Brassington and former Finance Minister under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, Dr Ashni Singh faced three charges of misconduct in public office, contrary to the public law on Tuesday when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
In handcuffs, the two men stood in the prisoner’s docks while the charges were being read.
The men were not required to plea to the charge as Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Special Prosecutor Trenton Lake explained to the court that additional investigations into the matter are ongoing.
During the proceedings , the prosecution requested a two-week adjournment for the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) to be applied. This will allow the men to plea to the three charges.
The two defendants were represented by a battery of attorneys including, Anil Nandalall, Stanly Moore, Ronald Burch-Smith, Mark Waldron, Sase Gunraj, Priya Manickchand, Marcia Sharma and Euclin Gomes.
Attorney Nandalall explained to the court that no summons was served on his client.
Nandalall argued for the two defendants to be released on self bail but this was met with much objection by the SOCU prosecutor.
The prosecutor noted that both defendants are the subjects of on going investigation by SOCU.
Brassington in December of 2015 had said he was willing to undergo public scrutiny in the courts of law, maintaining that he was a man of integrity.
One of the forensic audit reports on the operations of NICIL suggests that under the PPP administration, NICIL engaged in malpractices, and had made poor decisions on behalf of the people of Guyana.
The audit which was conducted by former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran had recommended criminal and/or disciplinary action against all those responsible for the interception of State revenues totalling $26.858B, in violation of the constitution. Goolsarran had said that several laws were broken.
Brassington, who left Guyana in December 2015, was said to be living in Florida, where he reportedly operates a business.
The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2018 and the men were released on GUY$6M each.
They duo were later led from the prisoner’s chute in handcuffs as if they were common criminals.
Singh, 45 of Goedverwagting and Brassington, 50 of Cowan Street Kingston had arrived in Guyana earlier Tuesday from overseas.
The first charge alleged that on Monday, December 28, 2009 by way of an agreement of sale and purchase “acted recklessly” when they sold to National Hardware Guyana Limited, lands amounting to 103.88 acres, property of the State for the sum of $598, 659, 398 (Vat exclusive) without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer.
The second charge alleges that the duo on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 by way of agreement of sale and purchase “without due diligence” sold to Scady Business Corporation, land located at Liliendaal, ECD, amounting to 4,700 acres, also the property of the State for the sum of $150,000,000 knowing that the said property was valued at $340,000,000 by Rodrigues Architects Associate.
The final charge alleges that the former finance minister and former NICIL CEO on Saturday, May 14, 2011 by way of agreement of sale and purchase “acted recklessly” when they sold to Multi-cinemas Guyana Inc. 10, 002 acres of land located at Turkeyen, ECD, property of the State for the sum of $185, 037,000 without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer.
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