ACTING Chief Justice Mr. Ian Chang, S.C., CCH, has allowed Detective Constable Odel Percival bail in the sum of $150,000 after he had petitioned the court to secure his pre-trial liberty through his counsels, Attorneys-at-law Mr. Peter Hugh, Miss Latchmie Rahamat and Miss Onassis Granville. Percival had been refused bail by a magistrate for allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice, but the petitioner is of the opinion that the allegation against him is a fabrication intended to tarnish his reputation and character as a serving member of the Guyana Police Force.

The petition for bail was heard and determined by the Chief Justice before Percival was made to spend any time in remand.

The charge against Percival resulted from an allegation that, in an attempt to pervert the course of justice, contrary to section 330 of the Criminal Law Offences Act, Chapter 8: 01, Percival willfully attempted to pervert the course of Justice by contacting Constable 19911 Liverpool in a criminal matter and offered him $100,000 so that the said Constable Liverpool would give contrary evidence in a case of the Police v. Jermine Mitchell and others for robbery under arms. Percival’s offence was allegedly committed on July 5, 2012 in Georgetown.

After he had been charged, Percival first appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court 3 on February 14, 2013, where the charge was read to him and he pleaded not guilty. Percival was subsequently remanded to prison by the Magistrate, and the matter was adjourned to March 13, 2013.
 In the bail petition, the Petitioner Hugh says that Percival is innocent of the said charge. According to him, Odel Percival has no knowledge of the allegation, and has given a statement denying same.

The petitioner says that Odel Percival is of the opinion that this allegation is a fabrication intended to tarnish his reputation and character as a serving member of the Guyana Police Force; and that the perpetrators behind the allegation intended to have him dismissed from the force.

The petitioner also contended that Odel Percival is the one of the main witnesses in several high profile matters, ranging from possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition to possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, and murder.

The petitioner contended that, for example, Odel Percival is one of the main witnesses in the murder matter involving the notorious accused Collin Jones.

The acting Chief Justice allowed bail to Odel Percival in the sum of $150,000.