Dharamlall denies sexual assault allegations made by fmr staff

– accuser lodges complaint with police

Less than 12 months following his resignation as a Government Minister and Member of Parliament, Nigel Dharamlall, an Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party, finds himself embroiled in fresh accusations of rape and sexual assault.
The alleged victim, a 28-year-old woman who is a former employee of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, has come forward with a detailed account of an alleged incident involving the former Government official.
The woman, during a press conference on Friday, announcing her filing of a comprehensive police complaint, and expressed her hope for a thorough investigation and eventual justice.
The woman alleges that she was raped on September 27, 2020 at the Anna Regina State House in the county of Essequibo. Recounting the incident, the woman explained that her alleged abuser, who was a Minister at the time, had invited her there to be interviewed for a job. She claimed that, upon arriving, she was taken upstairs to a bedroom, where she was sexually assaulted.

“I don’t know why we diverted from the living room. At this point, he grabs my body and tries to kiss me on the mouth, pulling himself onto me. I immediately turned away and persistently said that nothing can happen because I am fully into women, and that this is not something I came here expecting to do, and can’t offer anything,” she explained.
“…my top comes off with him trying to see my breasts, and as I am sitting on the bed trying to put clothes on, he takes them off and we go back and forth. He finally starts to grind up against me, expecting our genitals to touch. I told [him] to stop and put his penis away. He says he needs to get something from me first. He starts to take my pants off and my underwear, but I insist on leaving my pants halfway on one leg, because I did not want to spreadeagle to this man. I couldn’t believe this was happening, and I stared at the ceiling and looked at a clock to the left of me. My dignity and sanity went out the window, and I was crushed,” the woman said.
She described feeling trapped and violated as she resisted the official’s advances. The woman revealed to the media that she reported two separate incidents of sexual assault and rape to the police, one in 2020 and another in 2021.
“I was completely disassociated as this man goes down on me, and he used his tongue to have oral sex with my vagina and anus. I don’t know how long this goes on for, but I began to sob silently,” the victim detailed.
She also disclosed details of a second alleged incident that occurred in 2021 at a residence where the official was purportedly residing at the time. The woman admitted feeling intimidated before lodging her initial police complaint. An ongoing police investigation is underway.
Hours after the accusation surfaced, the former Government official issued a statement vehemently refuting the claims made against him. He expressed awareness of the alleged victim’s press conference, where she levelled ‘malicious’ allegations against him. He began by outrightly denying each accusation put forth by the woman.
“For some while hitherto, I was privy to rumours that (named person) was making unsavoury comments in relation to me, but I made a deliberate effort to ignore them. I have known (name provided) personally for several years, and have always maintained a most civil and cordial relationship with her, including socialising on many occasions. Her demeanour towards me changed fundamentally after I rebuffed her advances and spurned her attempts to engage in an intimate relationship,” the statement said.
“Thereafter, (name provided) embarked on a campaign to malign and tarnish my reputation. This was manifested through several fake profiles on social media, surreptitious leaks of information to the traditional media, and a whisper campaign to anyone willing to listen. It really begs the question as to what has reignited this quest by (named person) to sully my good name, particularly at this time. Her latest attempt bears testimony to this.
“I have already engaged and instructed Attorneys-at-Law who are reviewing the statements made by (named person) with a view (to) instituting legal proceedings against her and other persons associated with propagating these falsehoods, as may be necessary.”
In June last year, Dharamlall was arrested at the Brickdam Police Station for questioning into rape allegations levelled against him by a 16-year-old girl. He was subsequently released on $1 million station bail.
According to the Police, the decision was based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, following a statement from the teenager that was delivered to the police by her mother. The teenager indicated that she wanted no further action on the matter.
In light of that indication, the DPP concluded that in the absence of the victim’s complaint, there was no legal provision for the police to proceed with the matter.
The DPP also disclosed that consideration was given to the fact that the complainant had given a further statement to investigators that she wished to withdraw her complaint against Dharamlall, that her decision was not influenced by anyone, and that it was in her best interest to do so.