The trial of Dr Jennifer Westford, former minister in the PPP/C administration, and her former aide Margaret Cummings, into the alleged theft of over $600 million from the government, which was set for commencement yesterday, was put off owing to the misfiling of statements.
One of Westford’s attorneys, Neil Boston, asked the prosecution to fix the statements of those who are testifying. This objection came yesterday after the first witness, Andre Dazzel, the chief accountant of the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Public Service, began to testify. During Dazzel’s examination by Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt, Boston realized that the filed statement did not synchronize with the testimony of the witness.
During Dazzel’s testimony he told the court that Westford ran the ministry between 2011 and 2015, while Hydar Ally was the permanent secretary at the time. He also spoke of the role of Cummings, who had served as confidential secretary to the former minister. He said that she was also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Accounts Department. Dazzel further testified that Cummings was the person he reported to directly.
At this point, Boston raised an objection, questioning which page of the statement concerned Dazzel reporting to Cummings.
Hunt told the court that it was on page 54 but Boston responded that the page was not in the defence’s file.
To resolve the issue, Boston pleaded with the court give the prosecution time to have the files sorted out.
According to Hunt, who welcomed Boston’s suggestion, the matter has 24 files and the mix up could lie in the numbering of the files in different orders. The prosecutor said that if granted a new court date, he can present to the defence one consolidated file which will prevent further confusion.
Boston responded that it was a much more sensible approach.
Magistrate Latchman granted the prosecution’s application to have the file prepared. She adjourned the court for further report and fixture of another trial date.
The charge against the virtual complainants is that between the period October 19, 2011 and April 28, 2015, Westford and Cummings, while being employed with the former Public Service Ministry, stole $639,420,000 belonging to the Government of Guyana, which they received by virtue of employment.
It is also alleged that between 2011 and 2015, Westford signed 24 memorandums amounting to $639,420,000 and sent them to the Permanent Secretary at the Office of the President to be signed and approved. The money was said to have been requested for activities to be conducted in the 10 administrative regions.
