… Commissioner Seelall Persaud to testify today

EVEN as Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud will testify before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger today, another officer of the Guyana Police Force’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) testified that he (Persaud) had made contact with the brother of the accused in the matter.
On Friday, Assistant Superintendent Eon Alonzo, Officer-in-charge of the Criminal Records Office (CRO), told the commission headed by retired Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe that on March 29, as he was preparing to leave his office for home, he heard “recognisable voices” speaking loudly and using profanities.
He said based on what he heard, law-enforcement officers stationed at CID were attempting to calm an angry person at the station. Alonzo said he left his office to see what was transpiring and upon arrival at the station, he observed Imran Khan “using a series of profanity.”

“I then started to warn him. In doing so,[I noticed] he was already arrested, I would have noticed Corporal (Keon) Benjamin who would have took some of his property and his cellphone rang, when the phone rang the Sergeant Komal Petamber raised the cellphone and said man the name that is on the phone is that of Seelall Persaud, what should I do.
“I said based on the name on the phone give the man his phone. He took his phone, he stepped a few paces and answered,” said Alonzo. On July 24, Detective Corporal Keon Benjamin gave a similar statement to the commission.
He said shortly after he returned to his office to finish packing his items so that he could leave. It was on his departure that he noticed Inspector Prim Narine arriving at CID Headquarters. The officer said he did not write a statement on what he had observed.
Attorney Ian Chang, who is representing the interest of the Police Force, questioned whether the CRO has records of persons charged and convicted. Alonzo related that the CRO has records only of those convicted.

Attorney Christopher Ram, representing Imran Khan, asked Alonzo to state the number of voices he recognised from his office. The officer noted that it was only Corporal Benjamin. He told the commission that he knew that Khan had been arrested based on what had obtained when he arrived.
Alonzo said too that he was not privy to what had transpired before his arrest and as such, was unaware of a wrongful arrest allegation.
“No sir, I don’t know,” he said, while adding that his office was not asked to provide a record on the accused Nizam Khan, his brother Imran Khan or the accuser, Andriff Gillard.
Earlier in the inquiry, detectives and other officers attached to the CID had testified that Imran Khan had arrived at the Eve Leary location and behaved in a disorderly manner. The commission was also informed that it was the top cop who intervened and instructed that Khan, his brother Nizam and Gillard, be released.

‘FRIEND OF THE POLICE’
The commission also heard that Imran Khan was a “friend of the police” and particularly, the police commissioner.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Joel David said he had interacted with Khan on March 30, the day after Khan was detained by police and subsequently released. He alleged that he was assaulted by the police while being arrested for disorderly behaviour.
“He told me he was arrested for disorderly behaviour at CID headquarters on the night of the 29th and I told him if the police was affecting [sic] an arrest, then he should not claim assault,” said David. Khan reportedly told David that he would have the matter addressed at the Office of Professional Responsibility.
Moreover, David recounted that he summoned Detective Corporal Benjamin, the officer who had arrested Khan and asked him for a statement in relation to the allegation. Benjamin indicated that he was not finished with his statement, but subsequently took it to David.
David said there were missing ingredients in the statement and he asked Corporal Benjamin to fix his statement and then return.
“I perused it… I realised there were certain ingredients that were not there… [There was] no sequence, I told him what he had to do and he went to complete. He didn’t return [the] statement,” said the officer.
Attorney Ram asked whether a report was taken from Khan upon his return to the force on March 30.

“No…because he said he was going to OPR,” noting that Khan did not indicate that he wanted to make a report.
The officer said too that he enquired about Khan being assaulted while being arrested and contended that Khan had resisted arrest. He said he was unaware of a complaint of wrongful arrest, while noting that the police are not permitted to assault persons during lawful arrest, but force can be used.
David disclosed that he has never heard of the concept of an unlawful arrest during his 33 years as a policeman.
“I don’t want to suggest the entire police force doesn’t know the difference between lawful and unlawful arrest,” responded Ram, who found the officer’s utterance surprising. Khan did not submit a medical report along with his allegation of assault by the police.

ALLEGED OFFER
Meanwhile, Corporal Julian Griffith appeared before the commission on Friday. He told the commission that Gillard never made mention of an alleged plot to assassinate President Granger between March 27 and 30 while he was on duty. Gillard alleged that in June 2015, Nizam Khan offered him $7M to assassinate President Granger.
Gillard contends that he reported the assassination plot to Grove Police Station, but was not taken seriously. However, Griffith said on March 27, one Stephen Persaud made a simple larceny allegation against Gillard. He alleged that Gillard stole three of his tyres valued $10,500 from his place of business located at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
The policeman said he contacted Gillard the said night the allegation was made and informed him of the allegation. He said Gillard admitted to removing the tyres, but noted that he had consulted with the Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and one Inspector Ram. It is unclear why Gillard had to seek permission to remove Persaud’s tyres.

A rural constable was sent to the scene with both men and the constable reported that Gillard had disrespected her during her conduct of the investigation.
“I asked Gillard to do a written statement and he refused, saying he has to consult his lawyer. On the 28th March, about 11:00hrs, I received a call from Superintendent Van Dyken…he reported to me that he is sending Gillard to the station to take a written statement from him. Gillard never showed up,” recounted Griffith.
The corporal told the commission that Gillard called him on the station’s landline phone and during his conversation, he invited Gillard to a confrontation between himself and Persaud.
“His reply was that he is not coming to any **** station and that he was going to Travis Chase news for the entire station. He also mentioned a few names Inspector Ram, Nizam and the station Sergeant. I made a diary entry of what he told me, and brought it to the attention of Inspector Ram who was in charge,” the policeman stated.
He noted that on March 29 between 10:00hrs and 10:30hrs, he visited the scene where the alleged incident took place and spoke with persons in the area.
“I then went to the business of Andriff Gillard, King of Diamond Taxi Service and Stephen Persaud pointed out three tyres from Gillard’s business premises near to the fence.”
The police noted that the tyres were taken to the Grove Police Station where they were lodged and photographed. On March 31, Gillard was arrested and kept in custody for about two hours as he had behaved in a disorderly manner. He reportedly raised his voice and noted that Persaud had fabricated the story.

“He kept insisting he was going to put the whole station in problems,” Griffith told the commission. Thereafter, a confrontation was held with the duo, but Gillard repeatedly refused to provide a written statement.
“I informed him of his rights …he promised to return on April 1 to give the statement,” the police corporal added.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Slowe said the story was a bit confusing as the definition of simple larceny suggests that the person steals an item or items with the intention to permanently deprive the owner.
Other reports were made to the Grove Police Station for Gillard. Back in 2016, when he resided at 19th Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, he was accused of abuse and threatening language against a female tenant. That matter was however dismissed. He was also arrested and charged for unlawful wounding and inflicting grievous bodily harm.