Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday granted self-bail to a civil engineer and his brother who are accused of erecting a makeshift concrete blockade outside the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) office in April.
Ken Thomas and his brother Kenrick Thomas, a contractor, both of 28-30 Public Road, Agricola, East Bank Demerara both pleaded not guilty to the charge of obstruction of public way. The brothers denied that they had put several concrete pillars in the way of the public in front of GECOM, High Street, Kingston, between April 14 and 15.
Their attorney Nigel Hughes told the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court that the charge against them had been instituted as a result of GECOM’s “unbelievable refusal” to pay the rent for the property that it is currently occupying. He said GECOM owes his clients, who are the owners of the said property, over $5.5M in rent. Hughes noted that GECOM had told his clients that the rent would be paid through the Ministry of Finance but that this has not been done.
Further, he said since the matter was a civil one it should be dealt with in a civil court. Hughes also said that the state, through GECOM, has demonstrated its powers towards his clients and that “it’s abuse of power on the largest scale.” He then requested that his clients be granted self-bail on the grounds that they operate their business in Guyana and that they pose no risk of flight.
The magistrate subsequently ordered that the defendants return to court on July 3.
The actions of a dictatorship. You don’t pay the rent and then you get your henchmen to institute charges. The court system is being used as part of the apparatus in the oppression of the Guyanese people.
THIS IS DICTATORSHIP IN HIGH PLACES, INJUSTICE, GOD PLEASE HELP US.
I knew this was coming from the moment I saw the news article a few months ago.
If it is true that GEOCOM has not paid rent for the use of this building then how can the Government of Guyana be serious about telling the international community that it can implement a Low Carbon Development Strategy in a way that would beneefit all Guyanese?
GIVE THEM NOTICE TO GET OUT YOUR BUILDING ,THIS GOVERNMENT IS ALL ABOUT POWER ,AN POWER .WHAT MORE CAN ONE DAY .
The KING has not spoken on this matter. It is obvious that the state is using the police and courts to punish these people. Rent is due so pay the landlord has the right to change the locks and do whatever he wants with his property. BUT THIS IS GUYANA IF YOU ARE NOT “CONNECTED” YOU FEEL THE FULL BRUNT OF THE STATE.
This is just one of the many reasons why people leave Guyana permanently! No laws are being upheld to protect the people! How can people live peacefully in a country where you can’t even get government or quasi-government organisations to honour contracts as simple as rental agreements without being intimidated. Just pay the brothers! You shouldn’t have your workers occupying premises for which you don’t pay rent. Absolutely disgusting and diabolical. JUST PAY THE BROTHERS THEIR RENT AND LEAVE THEM ALONE IN PEACE. STOP BULLYING AND INTIMIDATING THEM.
Another one sided bit of news reporting….keep it up Stabroek.
What is one sided about this article? Govt rents place from men. Govt does not pay rent. Men blocks place. Govt police brings criminal charges when matter should be taken to civil court. Again, what is one sided about the reporting. What is one sided is the police and you, gtbeat.
how is this one sided? what is the other side that wasnt reported?
This is a malicious prosecution.The defendants have no case to answer.Costs to the defendants.
How could this be obstruction of public way when the building is a private building?
This is just further harassment the government is putting on this landlord. GECOM and PPP end your stupid bully tactics pay the man his rent owed and get on with your silly business.
This dictatorship has got to end.