Alleged hitman can’t be found
–file for DPP

NOW that the police are seeking to send the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice regarding the alleged confession of a would-be hitman, the man cannot be located, and it is felt he may no longer be willing to cooperate with investigators.

Senior police sources earlier this week confirmed that they have been unsuccessful in locating the man, who already supplied them with a signed statement, which, in essence alleges that he was hired by his cousin, Earnestine Mars Vigilance, to murder her boss.
Vigilance is the Administrative Officer at the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), while her boss, Ms Claudette Rogers is the Director General of the organization.
Yesterday Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed to this newspaper that the file pertaining to the confession of the would-be assassin including the statements of Rogers and other evidence gathered by the police would be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution.
The advice from the DPP would instruct the police if there is enough evidence to press charges against either the alleged mastermind or anyone else who may have played a part in the plan to carry out the murderous plot on the senior public officer.
Meanwhile, this publication was able to confirm that the woman at the centre of the allegations who has since been sent on administrative leave by Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn has been making visits to several prominent persons in society to plead her innocence and ignorance of the plot.
On Tuesday she reportedly visited a very senior police officer from whom she sought advice on the matter and indicated that she is innocent and the developments and revelations are affecting her.
Sources who saw the woman entering the office compound of the senior police officer indicated that the woman was advised by him that he cannot interfere with a police investigation. He also advised her to seek legal representation. Sources also told this newspaper that her husband is a serving inspector in the Guyana Police Force.
Contacted yesterday Public Works Minister Robeson Benn refused to comment on the decision to send the officer on administrative and when asked if she is likely to return after the police investigation is completed, the minister said he would not be able to comment on that also as an internal investigation is underway.
The Guyana Chronicle was the first newspaper to report on the plot against the director general which according to persons close to her has left her quite shaken.
Among the information shared with the police and Rogers by the man who was reportedly hired by his cousin to carry out the hit included the issuance of money to him by his recruiter to purchase a weapon and a drive-by at the house of the director general for the purpose of familiarization. A source, who spoke with the Guyana Chronicle indicated that the gentleman who was allegedly paid by the woman to carry out the act is her relative, and recently served time in prison for an offence.
It was reported that the officer approached the man and told him of her plan and enquired of him if he had a gun to which he responded in the negative. The woman then reportedly asked the man where he could get one from and how much it would cost and he told her that a weapon would cost about $60,000 and she gave him half of the money to secure it.
The man, however, did not act on the woman’s offer but instead took the money and went to Suriname where he transacted personal business. The woman reportedly paid the man to carry out the act while she was out of the country so that there would be no connection to her and the dastardly act, which was to have occurred sometime in April last.
However, it was only several days ago that the plan came to light after the hired man showed up at the home of his target and questioned her if she was familiar with him to which the woman, Rogers, responded in the negative.
The man, in the presence of Roger’s brother, then identified himself and told of the plan to kill her as was organized by her junior officer. The man reportedly told the Director General that Ms. Vigilance brought him to her village in a vehicle and showed him the home where she lived.
The act was to be committed in April but when Ms. Vigilance was away and did not hear that anything had happened to Rogers, upon her return she began questioning the relative who informed her that he was not interested in the job. The woman then requested that the man return the money he had taken to carry out the act.
After being briefed on the plan to have her executed, staff members from MARAD said that Rogers became very uneasy and shaky and asked the purported hitman if he would be willing to give a statement to the police and he responded in the affirmative.