Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle yesterday fined ten Venezuelans and a Nigerian and ordered them deported immediately after she found them guilty of entering Guyana illegally.
A Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard patrol found the Venezuelans after they stopped and searched two boats on January 28. Investigations revealed that the men had no papers and were entering the country illegally. The proceedings were carried out using an interpreter, since the men could not speak English.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Anthony OtoJareri Oyiborhoro was also charged with entering the country illegally and failing to present himself to an immigration officers. He was found in Essequibo on January 30 with a Nigerian passport in his possession. The passport contained no proof that he was here legally. He told the magistrate that he was here a few months before legally and liked the country, so he came back to visit. Oyiborhoro said he left his country of birth years ago and is a registered citizen of Suriname and a cook by profession in that country. The Venezuelans were fined $30,000 each while Oyiborhoro was fined $20,000. They are all to be deported as soon as the fines are paid.
