Former APNU+AFC Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan was moments ago taken before the court over misconduct in public office charges instituted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
Jordon was taken before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan who read the indictable charge to him.
It is alleged that while being and performing duties of Minister of Finance and being the concerned
Minister for the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, a company owned by the Government of Guyana, between Wednesday 26′ February, 2020 and Friday 31* July. 2020
at Main Street, Georgetown, he willfully misconducted himself by acting recklessly when he signed National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (Transfer of Property) Order, No. 50 of
2020, which was published in the Official Gazette of Guyana, transferring to, and vesting to BK Marine Inc. absolutely, all buildings, erections, stellings, platforms and further appurtenances
that is to say, Mudlots 1 & 2, F of Mudlot 3, A, B & D, situated at North Cummingsburg
Georgetown, being over 2.553 acres, by paying $20,260,276, for a
property valued over $5,000,000,000, and being sold at a price that was grossly undervalued to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust and without reasonable excuse or justification.
He was released on $3 million bail and told to return to court on February 10.
Three weeks ago, Jordan, was invited for questioning at SOCU headquarters on Camp Road, and later complained of feeling ill on the way to the Sparendaam Police Station. This resulted in him seeking emergency medical attention at the Plaisance Health Centre where it was disclosed his blood sugar and pressure were above normal.
According to SOCU, he was questioned on matters surrounding his signature on the vesting order for the sale of state lands at Mudflat, Kingston, Georgetown, to prominent contractor Brian Tiwarie of BK Group of Companies. Tiwarie during the course of the day was also invited for questioning at SOCU. He appeared with his lawyer Nigel Hughes but no questions were put to him.
Both attorneys Roysdale Forde and Darren Wade who are representing Jordan, said the move to charge him is politically motivated.
