A fraud accused is now on $100,000 bail after denying that he acquired more than $2 million in phone cards by claiming that they were intended for Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence.
It is alleged that Azaad Ali, called Shamir, 57, conspired with his son and another person or other persons, and with intent to defraud took $2.1 million in phone cards from Julius Belgrave by pretending same to be for Lawrence, knowing the claim to be false.
Ali, who was represented by attorney Dexter Todd, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was read to him by Georgetown magistrate Leron Daly.
Todd told the court that Ali was previously charged last year, when it was claimed that he used another minister’s name. He made a request for his client to be granted his release on reasonable bail since he was already on $100,000 station bail. Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh had no objections to bail being granted to Ali but he requested that conditions be attached. As a result, Ali was placed on $100,000 bail and was told to report to the police every Friday until the matter is concluded. The case was adjourned until February 15th, 2019.
