Dear Editor
INVESTIGATIVE work by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) following revelations of a recent forensic audit of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB),has led to charges being laid against six former board members and the commencement of legal action on May 19, 2017.
The six, who were each placed on $500,000 bail, will have to return to court within a month’s time for trial. This is a landmark event. Apart from that pending matter against the former AG for alleged embezzlement of state property (law books), the GRDB matter involves leading opposition activists, parliamentarians, and persons who played key roles in Guyana’s second most important agricultural sector — rice.

SOCU and the police’s legal advisory team must be highly commended for the diligent work they have been doing. SOCU’s competence to date has, and should always appear to be, in sync with prime objectives of the Government and people of Guyana. That is to act without fear or favour in dismantling and instituting charges against those involved in organized fraud, criminal networking and money laundering.

This recent matter involving the misappropriation of close to $400 Million, is just one of 60, yes 60, matters under SOCU’s investigations for the GRDB alone. Based on revelations of the forensic audits, it is anticipated that ongoing investigations will include other GRDB officials, politicians and millers as well. So there should be no surprises. Some of the players know themselves. The work of SOCU is unenviable and should never be underestimated.

In light of the magnitude and gravity of the matters at hand,neither the public nor any political party should be astounded that convictions will follow. Unless there are huge legal blunders or judicial partiality, there is no reason why the people of Guyana will not realise what they voted for — for Justice and the enforcement of Justice, for one, and for all.

Regards
Orette Cutting