Following the completion of a report on the levels of corruption that took place at the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), the Guyana Police Force’s Audit Department made a recommendation that the assets of certain officials be seized. This was especially so in the case of former SOCU Head, Sydney James who, according to the report, forged signatures to access millions of dollars from the Unit’s Operational Fund.
When contacted on this matter moments ago, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan said that he is not in a position to explain why there was no seizure of the assets. He noted that the last update he had on the case was that the file was with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack. He added that he is not in a position to confirm if the file is still in her possession but would be able to provide more details tomorrow.
Several officials close to the case remain bewildered as to why charges are yet to be laid against James and other officers who were abusing the Unit’s operational fund. Guyana Standard understands that the evidence gathered for the case is so concrete, charges could have been laid within weeks of the report being handed over to the police for further investigation.
