IN a masterful political move, Attorney- General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, gave the APNU+AFC Coalition a warning that the Irfaan Ali Government is still investigating the questionable deals negotiated for land and property from May 2015 to August 2020.
According to Nandlall, the police and its related agencies will be called in to probe the matters.
He said that questions would be asked of former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, relating to his handling of the infamous US$18M Signing Bonus and questionable disposal of State assets.
Nandlall justified the length of time that the government has taken to ensure it probes the irregularities and matters before handing them over to the police. He was adamant that the police would investigate these alleged crimes against the State.
Well, Jordan responded quickly, declaring his innocence and saying the allegations are false and baseless. He said he benefitted from legal advice and would be boldly plying a certain course.
Firstly, this move was a timely one by the Ali Administration. Hopefully, it will serve to remind the APNU+AFC politicians that the government is still actively probing every single transaction of the APNU+AFC Administration, particularly those which occurred from 2018 right up to August 2020.
Added to this, the PPP’s base was becoming worried that the PPP/C would fall into the same trap that partially cost the APNU+AFC regime its power. Arguably, this is a very justifiable view when one considers all the things that the government has been involved with as it tries to set Guyana on a developmental trajectory. So, the announcement serves to tell the very concerned supporters and party members that the PPP/C Government has not forgotten its promise.
Secondly, the PPP/C government wants a proper probe that can withstand the scrutiny of the Judiciary that is integral in securing higher conviction rates as a result of successful prosecutions. Remember, the failures of former President, David Granger when the then Attorney-General, Basil Williams, could not make a single charge stick on the PPP/C politicians and ministers who were charged with speed after they demit office.
After all, it was the APNU+AFC that promised to jail several high-profile political figures for alleged years of corruption and inappropriate spending of State funds, among other things but could not in the end. Additionally, no State assets of any considerable value were recovered by officials in the APNU+AFC.
So, Nandlall and others have been keeping constant meetings with staff and businessmen. They are seeking to unravel the trail of secrecy, inappropriate dealings, and other criminal transactions allegedly involving Jordan and the boys, which are known. In the coming weeks and months, it would appear as though the public will hear more details about these cases.
Thirdly, Jordan must not be seen to panic by Nandlall’s announcement. By him releasing a statement that said nothing and failed to adequately deal with each accusation forthrightly, he is showing his slip and fear. He would be better served to stay silent and pursue the course of action that his lawyers advised. It makes no sense at this point, getting excited and calling up people trying to see what will happen next.
Finally, the probe that Nandlall has announced will have far-reaching consequences for the PNC/APNU+AFC. More than likely, one can only assume that the topical questions of which other officials are to be targeted will dominate the PNC Congress and the secretive discussions held on the sidelines.
Additionally, some of the businessmen, who are major financiers of the opposition party, are panicking and fumbling over the probe because they know they are on the investigative list. Others, this weekend, they have already gone to their lawyers seeking legal advice about their questionable transactions and murky dealings with the previous PNC/APNU+AFC Administration.
Similarly, it was predicted, here in the column, that the AFC would put off its conference until next year. It is playing politics, and its leaders will have more time to focus on what Nandlall said. He could even be referring to the alleged wrongdoings of Khemraj Ramjattan, Moses Nagamootoo, David Patterson, Catherine Hughes and other persons if their names are on the investigative list.
After all, it promised to look into not only the elections fiasco but every deal, sale, procurement irregularity, and wrongdoing of the previous government. One thing that can be said about the PPP/C, it rarely forgets its promise made to the people of Guyana.
