Police file charges against SuperBet operators

…GPF has no authority to institute such charges – lawyer
…Magistrate adjourn matter, no charges read

Following civil proceedings filed by Guiana Holding Inc at the High Court to reverse the decision of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), which requires that the company submits a certificate of Good Standing as a condition prior to the issuance of a Betting Shop License under the provisions of the Tax Act, several SuperBet operators specifically in the areas of Georgetown and the East Bank of Demerara were summoned to appear in court on Friday to answer charges filed by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The Georgetown agents Devanand Singh, Rhonda Josiah, Kurt Sunich and Devendra Gangaran all appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, meanwhile, the East Bank agents namely: Roumayne Dunn, Lachman Fredrick, Jessica William and Hamauth Satayadeo appeared before the Providence Magistrate’s Court.
At the case hearings, Attorney Anil Nandlall appeared on behalf of the operators and made preliminary objections to the charge being read to them, as well as an application that the charge be dismissed as an abuse to the process of the court. This, the lawyer said, is on the basis that the charges were instituted and are being prosecuted by the GPF, an agency that has no authority to proceed. The Magistrate did not read the Demerara charge but rather adjourned the matter to August 16, 2019. On that occasion, the prosecution is expected to disclose information regarding the authority which authorises them (GPF) to institute and prosecute the charge along with the identity of the person who reported the matter.
After the court hearings, Nandlall in providing more details on the matters explained to media operatives that the only agency which has the authority to institute and prosecute such charges against these SuperBet operators is the GRA. On that note, Nandlall pointed out that it was confirmed that the GRA is unaware of the said charges.
“I confirmed this morning (Friday) before going to court that the Guyana Revenue Authority is unaware of the charges, they did not authorise the police either to investigate, institute or prosecute these charges…The authority to do so is the GRA and the GRA has not authorised the prosecutions, and the charges are being prosecuted with improper methods to carry out a vendetta by someone powerful in Government and the GPF [is] being used as an instrument to this executive vendetta.” He stated.
In addition, Nandlall underscored that pending the dismissal of the charges, the persons charged will be advised to sue the police and Attorney General for compensation of malicious prosecution.
The matters are being heard before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Providence Magistrate’s Court and Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.