– claims he “lost track of time” in Guyana
A Trinidadian designer now faces two years in jail after pleading guilty to forgery and immigration charges at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday morning.
Arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan was Daniel Ali, 32, who admitted to the charge which read that between January 3, 2017 and May 19, 2017, he conspired with persons to forge one Guyana driver’s licence in favour of himself bearing the name of Seelall Madiah, purporting to show that it had been issued by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
In addition, he pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on March 23, 2017 at the Central Immigration and Passport Office, for the purposes of procuring a passport, he signed a declaration in the name of Seelall Madiah, knowing same to be false.
Finally, between June 23, 2014 and May 20, 2017, he failed to comply with conditions subject to which any permit had been granted, that is to say having been permitted to stay from December 24, 2013 to June 23, 2014, he overstayed the said period.
Based on the prosecution’s facts, the defendant arrived in the country via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on December 24, 2013 and was given permission to stay in the jurisdiction until June 23, 2014. It is alleged that Ali visited the Central Immigration and Passport Office on March 15, 2017 to apply for a Guyanese passport and checks revealed that he had overstayed for a period of two years. Moreover, Ali had allegedly presented documents bearing the name of Seelall Madiah, but upon the launch of an investigation it was discovered that his correct name was Daniel Ali.
Prosecutor Arvin Moore related that the man was subsequently arrested and charged with the offences.
Ali had reportedly told officials that the licence was sold to him by someone he knew only as “Ryan” for some $200,000. He also told the court on Tuesday that he was aware that the licence was fake and not issued by the GRA.
When the Magistrate asked him why he overstayed, Ali said, “I lost track of time…”, while readily admitting to the offences and apologising for his actions.
The designer was fined $30,000 for overstaying and sentenced to one year each in relation to the conspiracy and signing to a written declaration using a false name respectively. These jail terms will run consecutively.
Guyana Times understands that Ali is reportedly wanted for fraud and larceny back in his home country of Trinidad and Tobago. (Paula Gomes)
