Pradoville probe thickens

-SOCU hauls in 7 more former PPP officials
-agency’s advisor defends arrest of Jagdeo, others

SEVEN more top officials of the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government were on Wednesday brought in to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for questioning as

Dr. Nanda Gopaul

investigations continue into the controversial sale of prime ocean front lands at prices below market value.

The seven individuals were; former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Sheik Baksh; former Housing and Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali; former Education Minister, Priya Manickchand; former Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford; former Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee; former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds; and former Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul.
Gopaul, who made his appearance early Wednesday morning at SOCU’s Camp Street headquarters, was questioned on matters related to his Chairmanship of the Board of Directors of the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) and head of the Public Service – two positions he held under the PPP.

“I was questioned with respect to my role as Permanent Secretary (PS) and as Chairman of NCN board. I was a public servant, I never in my working career, had query with respect to my job. My work has always been transparent and I follow the rules,” Dr. Gopaul told

Priya Manickchan

reporters after leaving SOCU’s office.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister (PM) Hinds was questioned about the removal of an NCN transmission tower, which was believed to have been done to facilitate the development of the ocean front lands at Plantation Sparendaam and Goedverwagting, more commonly known as “Pradoville Two.”

Hinds, who held responsibility for aviation while he was PM, justified the removal of the tower, explaining that it was done to facilitate the expansion of the Ogle International Airport [now Eugene F. Correia International Airport]. Should charges be laid against him, he will be represented by Attorney-at-Law Priya Manickchand.
The other five individuals were questioned directly about their acquisition of lands at Pradoville Two, which were offered by the then PPP government at prices below market value.

Deafening silence and stoic faces from Ali and Baksh featured in the encounter between them and members of the media, who attempted to solicit comments in relation to their interrogation by SOCU. Westford too, offered nothing more than a smile. Ali will be represented by Attorney-at-Law Devendra Kissoon if charges are laid against him.
But it was former Home Affairs Minister Rohee and former Education Minister Manickchand who had much to say to the media.

Rohee, who read a prepared statement from his cellular phone, related that the investigation by SOCU is a “centrally directed dirty war, disguised as a fight against corruption, aimed at political opponents of the APNU+AFC coalition.”
He said that the PPP and its leaders are the targets of this “dirty work” which he accused the coalition government of initiating.
“This dirty work won’t end here. It is aimed at embarrassing persons from different walks of life who have served this country with distinction,” he said, adding that the diplomatic community must take note of these developments.

A beneficiary of a parcel of land which he reportedly paid $1.5M for, Rohee said that a number of questions were put to him in relation to how he acquired the land, how much he paid for it and who was paid for it. He did not reveal to reporters the answers he provided to SOCU.
His attorney, former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, also weighed in, saying that if charges against Rohee germinate, they are going to be challenged in court. He too contended that the investigations are politically motivated and that the criminal justice system must not be used for “political vendetta, vindictiveness and to oppress people.”

Manickchand also fielded questions similar to those posed to Rohee. She said that she answered them to the best of her ability. The former Government Minister said she told investigators that she applied for a house lot under the national housing programme and was allocated one behind the Sparendaam Police station (Pradoville Two).

“I did not apply for a land at Pradoville. I applied for a land under the National Housing Programme for a government house lot in region four,” she revealed.
Manickchand said she bought the property, built a house, developed the land and eventually sold the property. She did not state the cost at which these were done. But according to a report, she paid below $3M for the land, which she would eventually develop and sell for $100M.

A State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) report into the Pradoville saga also revealed that the former Minister sold her land three years after purchasing it and she did so without written permission from the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA), thereby breaching the conditions of the agreement for the land. She confirmed that Capital Gains taxes were paid when the house was sold, as is required by law.
The former Minister was keen to note too that she applied for a mortgage which she used to develop the land and build the house at Pradoville. Asked whether she anticipates charges, Manickchand said she is of the “considered view” that nobody can be charged successfully for anything that was not done illegally.

“I don’t believe we’re dealing with a fair and objective assessment of what happened and by that I don’t mean the officers. I believe this is a big distraction,” she added. However, if such actions are brought against her, Manickchand will be represented by Attorney-at-Law Jaya Manickchand.
She was not told by SOCU investigators to return to the agency’s headquarters for further questioning.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening, government dismissed what it described as “spurious allegations of political vendetta and harassment” by the opposition maintaining that SOCU is operating independently without any interference or direction.

“…government notes SOCU’s meticulous, fair and independent work in investigating this immensely serious matter relating to state assets and looks forward to a thorough and comprehensive investigation and for the law to take its course and justice to be served,” the statement issued by the Department of Public Information read. Government also reaffirmed its stated position that the assets of the state belong to the people of Guyana and under no circumstances will it condone or overlook any action which resulted in the improper, illegal or unjust distribution of same.

Not a PPP investigation
Meanwhile, special advisor to SOCU, Dr. Sam Sittlington, refused to comment on whether charges are likely to be instituted against these persons.
With PPP members initially refusing to be questioned at SOCU’s headquarters, DR. Sittlington explained that under the law the police has the power to arrest someone without a warrant if that person is suspected of committing a misdemeanour.

“Whenever the police require them for an interview and they refuse, then they are breaching that, and the police can come in and arrest them. The whole point is to bring someone in to gather evidence because you suspect them of committing a criminal offense,” he added.
The PPP, after refusing to meet at SOCU’s headquarters for questioning, said they would prefer to be interrogated at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition on Church Street. But according to the advisor, the police are the ones who dictate where they interview suspects, and not the other way round.

“This is a police investigation, this is not a PPP investigation,” he said, adding that all the exhibits and equipment are at SOCU’s headquarters, which would render it implausible for the agency to conduct interviews at other locations.
Dr. Sittlington also refused to comment on allegations by the Opposition Leader that the law enforcement agency was taking “political directives” from the Ministry of the Presidency. He said that SOCU takes directives from the Commissioner of Police.

On Tuesday, SOCU arrested several PPP members including Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo; former Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon; and Lisaveta Ramotar, daughter of former President Donald Ramotar, to answer questions related to their acquisition of lands at Pradoville. Former PPP Member and Government Minister, Robert Persaud and private sector executive Ramesh Dookhoo, were also arrested and questioned. Ghansham Singh – son of former Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul – was also made to answer to SOCU although he was not arrested. Marcia Nadir-Sharma, former Company Secretary to the National Industrial Commercial and Investments Limited (NICIL) was also grilled on matters related to that agency.

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