Guyana Observer News

The justice system in Guyana is operating in a snail like manner, causing persons to either languish in jail for years or many having to carry a brand of either being corrupt or a criminal. Today we feature Mr. Balwant Persaud, he was charged over a year now for "robbing" from poor people who wanted an opportunity to live in Canada. We call on the justice system to ensure that justice is swift and people like Mr. Balwant Persaud can have a fair trial. Mr. Persaud was held at the Brickdam Police Station for a few days, and subsequently remanded to prison. He was subsequently released on $1M bail.

By Freddie Kissoon

In the last two years on this page, one of my themes is that once protest against dictatorial government ceases to exist, the elected dictatorship of the PPP will do whatever it wants. It is interesting to note that spin doctor at OP, Dr. Randy Persaud, in a published letter to this newspaper two years ago wrote that the Government’s programmes have been stalled because of the PNC’s activism of “mo fyaah/slo fyaah.” In other words, Persaud was saying that the opposition was achieving something. In Persaud’s calculations, this something was not positive but in political terms, depending how you look at it, the PNC was doing what opposition groups feel it should do – bring the government to the negotiation table. And Desmond Hoyte’s strategy of “mo fyaah/slo fyaah” did bring the PPP to the conference room.

- Re-arrested for questioning on Allison, Waddell killings

Ex-policeman Lloyd Roberts who was charged with the murders of Romeo De Agrella and son Clint De Agrella yesterday had both charges discharged by Magistrate Allan Wilson. This newspaper was told that this resulted from the prosecution being unable to show the presiding Magistrate they could proceed with the matter. Ever since the beginning of the trial the prosecution had sought several adjournments. The prosecutors were granted their adjournments to figure out how to proceed after star witness Tyrone Da Silva when offering evidence against Roberts said he did not know the accused and that he was beaten to admit to knowing him. The prosecution was then faced with not having any evidence against Roberts since without Da Silva they had no case.

Crashed CANU vehicle…

The Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) is not divulging any information in relation to an accident involving one of the entity’s vehicles which occurred on Sunday morning last. When contacted, the acting Head Oswald Massiah would only state that he was not aware that an unauthorized person was driving the vehicle, but declined any further comment. “I will not say anything on the accident, let the same sources who gave you the information give you all you need,” Messiah said.

The Guyana Police Force is reluctant to reveal the name of a school attended by a student in whose bag an unlicenced firearm was found last Friday. Although the police did send out a brief press statement on the matter, senior officials said that they were not at liberty to disclose the name of the school. The police stated in its press release yesterday, that they are investigating a report that an unlicenced .22 Colt automatic pistol was found in the school bag of a male student of a Secondary school during school hours on Friday last. The release stated that the firearm has been handed over to the police as the investigations continue. But the secrecy with which the matter is being handled has raised questions as to who might be involved. There have been no charges as yet, although the police are known to have a zero tolerance posture with regards to the possession of illegal firearms.

The Faith Christian Church of South Vryheid's Lust recently received a timely donation from the Mark Benschop Foundation. The members were presented with a sewing machine, books and clothing. Head of the Foundation, Mr. Mark Benschop said "we will continue to assist groups throughout this country by empowering them...we can't be like these blood sucking politicians who go into people's communities and set up offices in order to gain votes...we are here to empower the people of this country..." Sister Pearl Younge expressed her gratitude to the Foundation.

Could this be Jagdeo and Corbin after their meeting at the Office of the President? (oh no, it's Comedians Jumbie and Habeeb Khan)

Tune into benschopradio.com this evening: Benschop's guest: Peter Ramsaroop, Time: 7pm Sharp