Taxi driver nabbed with firearms at CANU Headquarters remanded

Following the discovery of two firearms in a car at the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Headquarters on Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown on Tuesday, Michael Jacobis, a resident of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), has been charged with possession of two weapons without the required licences.
Represented by Attorney Keoma Griffith, this 27-year-old taxi driver and father of one appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Rhondell Weever on Friday and pleaded not guilty as charged.
His defence attorney requested reasonable bail for his client, but the Police prosecutor strongly opposed bail being granted. When she made her submissions, the prosecutor stated that no special reason was given in the request for bail, in keeping with the Firearms Act. According to the prosecutor, the accused person was carrying a bag in which the firearms were found, and Jacobis has acknowledged on camera that he is the owner of the firearms.
The prosecution’s assertions were disputed by Griffith, who said his client had entered the taxi in question and had sat in the front passenger seat. Moreover, there were two other passengers inside the vehicle.
Griffith also told the court that his client is not the car’s owner, and he reminded the court that confession-related matters must be proven by a “specific process”, even as he asked that this specific piece of evidence be disregarded for now.
Ultimately, Magistrate Weever remanded this accused to prison, and set January 26, 2024 as the date when the case would be brought up again for statements and the setting of a trial date.