A 61-year-old house development planner was yesterday remanded to prison after appearing before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton on four charges of fraud.
The first charge against Fazil Ramzan is that between June 30, 2009 and December 24, 2009, he obtained by false pretence $2M from Albert Grant, purporting to show that he was in a position to build and make available a complete 2-bedroom house at Sara Johanna, East Bank Demerara, within six months. It is also alleged that the accused committed three similar offences, obtaining by false pretence $460,000 from Norma Cartwright, $500,000 from Latisha Zonat, and $423,500 from Edwin Clarke, on December 4, 2008, July 9 and January 27, 2010, and July 3, 2008, respectively.
Ramzan was not required to plead to the indictable charges when they were read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Five.
In his application for bail, the defendant’s attorney stated that his client poses no flight risk as he has a fixed place of abode at the Clay Brick Factory Compound, Canal No. 2 Polder, and has substantial assets within the jurisdiction. The attorney also said that the complainants in the matter have all been made offers to have their money refunded. He further appealed to the magistrate that the situation pertains to a breach of contract between his client and the parties involved.
However, the prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that the accused has other charges pending and he was refused bail by the magistrate and the matter was adjourned until tomorrow.
