Granger expresses fear

Upon receipt of CoI report of alleged assassination plot

… says his office, family members must be protected

By Shemuel Fanfair

As President David Granger received the report on the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into an alleged assassination plot against him, he said he feared for his office, telling reporters that the First Lady and members of his immediate family should also be protected against any security threats.

“I am fearful for the office of the Presidency; I think that the office of the President is one that should enjoy the protection of the security services and any reports of threats or any risk against the President’s life or the lives of the immediate relatives of the President including the First Lady or the President’s children deserve to be properly and thoroughly investigated.
President David Granger made these comments at a handing over ceremony at State House where he received the report from CoI Chairman, retired Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe. The Chairman, who was appointed in July 2017, was tasked to inquire into the persons, places, time, circumstances and events by and through which allegations came to be made of an intention or a plan to assassinate the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The report will include the Commission’s findings as well as offer recommendations.
Reporters questioned President Granger over possible fears for his personal safety and the fact the accused persons were released by Police.
The President however indicated that he will wait to assess the Commission’s findings and hold consultations with his Cabinet before he makes any pronouncements on the matter.
“It is good practice to ensure that the President is safe and if there is a threat to that safety, it should be investigated,” the President affirmed.
Commissioner Slowe spoke briefly to media operatives after presenting his findings.
He categorised the Commission’s work as a very “involved and lengthy process” in which enough evidence and witness statements were provided to meet the requirements as set out when he was first installed to investigate the alleged plot.
The CoI sought to find out whether or not the Police conducted sufficient investigations into the allegations and threats to assassinate the President of the day and to ascertain if the Police had knowledge of the plot before, and what actions were taken after the receipt of that information.
The inquiry further sought to establish whether there was neglect or omission to thoroughly investigate the plot to assassinate the President and determine whether such failure or omission was intentional. It also sought to recommend suitable prevention measures to thwart future occurrences.
“The Terms of Reference spoke of diligence and thoroughness and all of those things, I think I attempted to answer fully,” Commissioner Slowe stated on Thursday.
Though the Chairman was tight-lipped on whether or not he recommended disciplinary action on any Police rank involved in the investigation, the media was informed that after the President reviews the report, it will be made public. Several senior ranks had testified before the CoI.
It was earlier this year that Andriff Gillard alleged that businessman Nizam Khan offered to pay him $7 million to kill President Granger sometime in 2015; an allegation that Khan denied.
The CoI had heard that Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, while on leave, had ordered the release of businessman Khan – the accused plotter; his brother, Imran Khan, and the complainant – Andrif Gillard in March. Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine claimed that a proper investigation was not carried out. He had also agreed that the Police probe was lethargic and noted that he could not have defended the Guyana Police Force.
Police Legal Advisor, Retired Justice Claudette Singh said that in her view, the matter was not treasonous while the mental state of the accuser, Gillard was questioned during the course of the CoI.