President accused of covering up case

High-profile sexual assault

President David Granger is being accused of covering up a high-profile sexual assault case involving top officials in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo).
The accusation was levied by former President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who contended that the Head of State was fully informed about the incident, yet he failed to take any action against those culpable or at least under suspicion of being guilty.
“The President can’t claim lack of knowledge on this matter,” Jagdeo said during a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) news conference on Monday at Freedom House, Robb Street.
Jagdeo highlighted that a petition was signed and presented to the President calling on him to take action on the matter, but yet he did nothing.
The PPP General Secretary condemned this apparent protection of an alleged sexual predator, as he expressed his belief that there was an organised attempt to hide the truth.
A high-ranking female municipal official filed a Police report against a regional official, alleging sexual assault.
F Division (Lethem and other Interior Locations) Commander Ravindradat Budhram said a file was compiled and it has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice on instituting charges against the accused.
According to reports, it was during a work trip when the alleged victim was forced to share a room with the suspect during which the assault took place.
The top local Government official said she wrote to President Granger since November 7, 2016, but, to date, he was yet to respond to her concerns.
Some 1200 persons signed the petition calling for the removal of the top official on several grounds, one being sexual assault. The petition was forwarded to the President, the then Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally and the Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan. No action was taken.
However, the accused official has since come out, denying the reports against him. According to the regional officer’s lawyer, Jerome Khan, the accusations made against his client are false.