A construction worker who told the court that $2M which was allegedly stolen from his boss was in fact repayment for a loan he had given was today charged with embezzlement.
Ravindranaught Rambajue, 27, of Suddie Housing Scheme, Essequibo, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He was arrested two days ago at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) while heading to Dominica.
It is alleged that on August 21, 2018, at Republic Park, East Bank Demerara, while being a clerk or servant of Amir Samad, he fraudulently embezzled the sum of $2M which was taken into possession by himself on the account of his employer.
An unrepresented Rambajue pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him by the magistrate.
Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield stated that the defendant was employed by Samad for the past five years. The court heard the victim wrote a Republic Bank cheque for $2M and handed it over to the defendant with the intention of him returning the money within a few months.
However, after the agreed time elapsed, the victim made several calls to the defendant’s phone but all went unanswered. Samad then reported the matter to the police.
The Prosecutor added that on June 25, 2019, the defendant was arrested at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) while attempting to board a flight destined to Dominica. An investigation was then carried out and he was charged with the offence following advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Rambajue, in addressing the court, stated that he was working for the victim for several years and that Samad had owed him $3.1M. He further added that he threatened to leave the job and that is when his boss paid him $2M and asked him to stay.
Prosecutor Mansfield strongly objected to bail being granted to the defendant on the serious nature of the allegation and the time it took to locate the defendant. The prosecutor also highlighted the fact that at the time of the defendant’s arrest he was attempting to leave the country. On those grounds, the prosecutor said if bail is granted to the defendant he would not return to court for the trial.
The magistrate, after listening to both sides, remanded Rambajue to prison until July 4 when he is expected to make his next court appearance at the Providence Magistrate’s Courts.
