A FORMER police officer and a Legal Clerk II attached to the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts have been charged in connection with an alleged $17 million fraud involving a cheque drawn on the court’s maintenance account.
Omari James, a 27-year-old labourer and former member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), was charged with money laundering and uttering a forged document with intent to defraud, while Rocquel Charter, a Legal Clerk II attached to the court, was charged with forgery of a negotiable instrument and forgery of a document with intent to defraud.
The charges stem from investigations into a Bank of Guyana cheque valued at $17 million, allegedly drawn on the Maintenance Account of the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts and purportedly issued as payment for rehabilitation works at the court.
According to investigators, between August 18 and 20, 2025, Charter allegedly forged the cheque by falsely signing the name of the Clerk of Court, an authorised signatory to the account. She is also accused of forging a letter purportedly issued and signed by the Clerk of Court, falsely authorising payment of the $17 million to James.
Investigators said James visited the Camp Street branch of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited on August 20, 2025, where he presented the cheque and an official letter purportedly authorising the payment.
He allegedly encashed the cheque and received $17 million in cash.
Charter was subsequently charged with forgery of a negotiable instrument, contrary to Section 256 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, and forgery of a document with intent to defraud, contrary to Section 277 of the same Act.
James was charged with money laundering, contrary to Section 3(1)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, and uttering a forged document with intent to defraud, contrary to Section 277 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act.
James appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday, October 26, 2026, where both charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to both offences.
The prosecution, represented by Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor and attorney-at-law Darin Chan, objected to bail, citing the serious nature of the offences, the substantial sum involved, and the penalties prescribed by law.
Despite the objections, James was granted bail in the total sum of $400,000 for both charges.
He appeared without legal representation, and the matter was adjourned to November 16, 2026, for disclosure of the prosecution’s evidence.
Charter appeared separately before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Diamond Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Both charges were read to her, and she pleaded not guilty.
Her attorney, Ronald Daniels, applied for bail. However, Chan, representing the prosecution, objected, citing the seriousness of the allegations, the penalties upon conviction and the circumstances surrounding the alleged forgery of official court documents involving $17 million.
Charter was nevertheless granted bail in the sum of $500,000, subject to conditions imposed by the court. Her matter was adjourned to November 30, 2026, for disclosure of the prosecution’s evidence.
Following the duo’s arraignment, SOCU reaffirmed its commitment to tackling financial crimes, stating that it would continue to investigate and prosecute such offences and ensure that suspects are brought before the courts in accordance with the law.
