Inquiry into Linden fatal shootings: James Bond slams Nigel Hughes’s call for families to reject RSS probe as “illogical”

Prominent attorney and former Member of Parliament for the People’s National Congress (PNC), James Bond, has criticised comments made by Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Nigel Hughes, calling them “illogical”. Hughes had urged residents of Linden to reject the investigation being conducted by the Regional Security System (RSS) into the fatal Police shootings of Ronaldo Peters, 21, and Keon Fogenay, 32, earlier this month.
According to Bond, Hughes’s directive does not hold water given that he cannot judge the contents of the investigation even before knowing what is contained within the report.

“[Hughes’s comments] doesn’t sound like a logical comment, it has to be something more to it. If the investigation reveals the ranks were culpable should that report be accepted? If the report comes back to charge them with murder should Lindeners disregard it. Something isn’t adding up,” Bond concluded.
A three-member team from the RSS had recently travelled to Guyana to assist the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) investigations into the recent shootings in Linden, where protests erupted after the alleged Police killing of Ronaldo Peters, a young resident of Wismar. Peters was reportedly shot by a Police officer stationed at the Wismar Police Station, demonstrations demanding justice.
Less than 24 hours later, protests escalated dramatically. As demonstrators set fires and blocked major routes, another man — Keon “Dan” Fogenay, a 32-year-old father of four — was fatally shot by Police during a confrontation where protestors hurdled missiles at the Police. According to the GPF, the shooting occurred during an attempt to disperse protestors who had turned violent, throwing missiles and damaging property.
The cops involved in the fatal shooting have been placed under close arrest.
The arrival of the RSS followed a commitment made by President Irfaan Ali to execute an independent investigation into the two killings, when he met with the families at Watooka House to offer his condolences and emphasised the need for calm and compassion during what he described as a “deeply painful” time.
However, on Sunday last, AFC Leader Nigel Hughes attended the funeral of the victims and directed residents of the mining town to disregard the pending report investigating the situation based on the RSS handling of previous investigations, namely the 2020 killing of the Henry boys – Isaiah Henry, 16, and his 18-year-old cousin Joel Henry – who were found brutally murdered at Cotton Tree Backdam, West Coast Berbice (WCB).
“I say to you today, Linden, do not accept any peace offering that says that the Police should investigate or that the RSS can assist. They are both incapable. And if you want to pay tribute to these two sons here do not accept the Police investigation and do not accept an investigation by the RSS,” Hughes said.
Instead, Hughes called on the residents to demand that the Government offer the families compensation of $100 million each.
On Tuesday, the GPF in a statement said that OPR and RSS had completed their investigation and the case file is expected to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution by Wednesday to obtain legal advice.
The RSS is also expected to submit and subsequently make public a report containing findings and recommendations.