Omar Shariff is special prosecuting team’s first case

The team of special prosecutors appointed by Government to pursue cases made out by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) will be prosecuting its first case, which is against former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Shariff, and his wife Shabita Hardeo.

Shariff, who was fired in December 2016, is currently under investigations by SOCU following the alleged discovery of several billions of dollars in a number of

local bank accounts in his name and the names of persons, who worked close to him, including his wife. Head of SOCU, Sydney James, had stated last year that the MOTP Permanent Secretary Shariff was being investigated for money laundering and tax evasion.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Basil Williams at a press conference on Wednesday disclosed that six special prosecutors appointed by Cabinet have been issued with fiats by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack and of these, a selected team will be appointed to prosecute the case against Shabita Hardeo and Omar Shariff which is being tried in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

“This is the maiden trial for the special prosecutorial team, whose members could only prosecute matters with the concurrence of the DPP, except where a private criminal matter is filed,” he noted.

In addition, members of the team are assisting SOCU in its preparation of cases to be prosecuted, Williams added.

Government has budgeted some $100 million for the appointment of special prosecutors – who will be tasked with leading the cases against those found to be culpable of crimes as detailed in the forensic audits conducted over the past two years.

However, this recently attracted much criticism since most of the special prosecutors hired are from law firms owned by several Government Ministers. According to reports, the six Attorneys retained as special prosecutors are Michael Somersall, Hewely Griffith, Lawrence Harris, Patrice Henry, Trenton Lake and Compton Richardson.

When asked about the criteria used to select these persons, the Attorney General pointed out that these are persons who are “well qualified” and have experience in prosecution.

“So we have people who have been practicing at the criminal bar,” he asserted while adding that “…You have to understand that we have to use people who are willing, who are available and who have the skills set.”

Meanwhile, two of the forensic audits which are considered to be Government’s focal priorities – Sparendaam Housing Scheme and the operations of the Guyana Cricket World Cup Inc.

Attorney General Williams indicated to reporters on Wednesday that it likely another set of special prosecutors, this time overseas professionals, will be sourced for these cases.

“We also have identified persons from abroad who will come in certain matters… when the time comes, we will make that disclosure,” he posited when probed further.