Cop on bribery charge

A police officer accused of bribery was yesterday granted $50,000 bail when he appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The allegation against Cleatus Azeem, 27, is that on November 2, at the Brickdam Police Station, being an agent of the Government of Guyana, he corruptly obtained from Natasha Jones the sum of $40,000, as an inducement or reward for foregoing to prosecute Kenroy Cadogan. Azeem, a serving member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the past eight years, denied the charge of bribery.

Cleatus Azeem

Attorney Patrice Henry, who represented Azeem, asked that his client be sent on his own recognisance. He said the man has no antecedents, poses no risk of flight, has a fixed address and has been cooperating with police.

Prosecutor Stephen Telford, who informed the court that the accused is still a serving member of the GPF, had no objection to him being granted bail. No details of the case were given as Telford only indicated to the magistrate that “the facts are as charged.”

Sewnarine-Beharry subsequently ordered the defendant to post monetary bail in the sum of $50,000. The case was adjourned until January 5.