Police prosecutor charged for obstructing course of justice

…stripped of duties, transferred to TSU

Police Sergeant Shawn Gonsalves, who is accused of obstructing the course of justice, has been stripped of prosecutorial duties and transferred to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU).
Accompanied by Attorney-at-Law Bernard DaSilva, he appeared in the Diamond/ Golden Grove court of Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Wednesday to face an allegation that, between July 23, 2021 and November 27, 2021, at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he conspired with persons unknown to obstruct the course of justice, to cause the disappearance or to falsely execute two sentence warrants in favour of Vishall Munilall, 34, of Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Sergeant Gonsalves, a father of three and resident of 577 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), has been granted self-bail, his case continues on May 5.
Defence Attorney Bernard DaSilva has told this publication that he has written the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a review of the charge, with the hope of having it withdrawn.
On November 27, 2021, Vikram Munilall was apprehended by the Police on two sentence warrants issued for him by City Magistrate Annette Singh. As a result, he was escorted to the Golden Grove Police Station, EBD. While at the station, an allegation was put to him that he and another man had obtained money by false pretence from Robin Bostwick of Eccles, EBD during February 2017.
Munilall requested a telephone call to his lawyer, which was facilitated by the Police; and soon after, his counsel arrived at the station. Kulwantie Munilall, 25, also of Houston, arrived afterward and gave Vikram Munilall a package.
Vikram Munilall then requested to speak to the investigating officer, and his request was granted. In the presence of another Policeman, he gave the investigating officer $700,000 to forego investigation/prosecution against him.
The investigating officer immediately told the Munilalls and Dehodary Odit, 26, of Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown, of the offence committed: to wit, corrupt transaction with an agent, and cautioned them. The money was seized, marked, and lodged at the Police station.
On December 2, 2021, these three persons were charged with the offence of corrupt transaction with an agent, and were released on cash bail. On that same day, Vishal Munilall and his older brother Vickram Munilall, 37, were jointly charged with Odit for obtaining money by false pretence from Robin Bostwick back in February 2017. Bail was granted to them.

“Ducking”
Moreover, the prosecution is contending that Vishal Munilall and Odit provided Police with information about Sergeant Gonsalves “ducking” the sentence warrants. Investigations were launched, and Sergeant Gonsalves was subjected to a video interview, during which he denied the allegations, the prosecutor added.
But, according to the prosecutor, while he was under close arrest and being escorted to TSU Headquarters, Sergeant Gonsalves admitted to a Police Inspector that he was involved in the crime. As a result, investigators compiled a file that was sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
It was advised that the lawman be charged with the present offence. (G1)