Former Region 6 REO acquitted of cybercrime charge

Former Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Dr Veerasammy Ramayya, was on Wednesday acquitted of a cybercrime charge against a Corentyne Pandit.
Ramayya was charged in December 2022 after it was alleged that he had used a computer system to harass and humiliate Surujdyal Sahadeo, called “Pandit Dave”, who is also a councillor on the Region Six Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
Sahadeo had accused the former REO of calling him ‘Gailbaka’ and of alleging that he was using cow’s milk to wash his foot, resulting in a shortage of milk at Number 52 Village. It had also been alleged that Ramayya had claimed that Pandit Dave had stolen $1.8 million.
The court had released Ramayya on his own recognizance after he had appeared there to answer the charges.
However, during the trial, the video in question was presented to the court, and in her ruling, Magistrate Renita Singh stated that after reviewing the evidence, she had found that no harm was brought to RDC Councillor Surujdyal Sahadeo.
In addition, she pointed out that while mention was made of the use of cow’s milk, it did not show Ramayya saying that there was a shortage of milk at Number 52 Village.
Further, she ruled that the video did not make mention of Pandit Dave stealing $1.8 million, even though it was stated that he had collected the money.
Dr Ramayya has been a controversial figure in Region Six since being appointed REO when the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) took office in 2015. During his tenure, he had allegedly undertaken projects without the approval of the RDC, and had later been asked to resign. He later left the Alliance for Change and joined the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) ahead of the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
Following the PPP/C’s return to office, Dr Ramayya had been asked to head the Rapid Response Task Force, but had tendered his resignation after making certain demands. (G4)