Murder accused returns to jail ‘under the influence’ after court appearance

39 year old Nakool Manohar called ‘Fyah’ who was escorted by the police to a the Whim Magistrate Court on the Corentyne, Berbice  on Thursday returned to the jailhouse ‘under the influence’ of something which prison and police authorities are yet to determine, while some say it might have been alcohol, others are saying they are not sure as a breathalyzer test not conducted on the accused.

The development was confirmed by Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Langevine when contacted by BIG Smith Crime Watch this evening.

‘Fyah’ is said to be the mastermind behind the 2018 piracy attack and murder of a number of fishermen in Guyanese water which saw sixteen fishermen being tossed overboard, was escorted from the New Amsterdam Prison to the courthouse by police ranks on Thursday in keeping with his court date.

We are told that upon his return to the prison, he appeared very unstable and could not stand and was also vomiting. There is no clear indication if the accused was drunk or might have been poisoned but a number of tests were said to be carried out on him initially but thus far, no positive word has been given to prison or law enforcement about what might have gone wrong.

How the prisoner’s condition changed from the time he left the court house to the time he arrived back at the jail is something that is being examined and that probe is said to be looking at the persons he had contact with and who may have given him be it liquid, food or any other consumables.

Whichever of the above (if any) was responsible for the police returning a sick prisoner to the jailhouse does raise a very serious questions about proper supervision of persons who are left in the care of the state, especially those facing various charges.

There have been many instances where prisoners are alleged to have escaped from the police en-route to courthouses or while being prep for court and Thursday’s incident does bring into question those past developments including the many escapes from police lockups and the level of supervision given to those who are in custody. What the posture is when it comes to family members or other persons providing inmates or prisoners with eatables is also something that has now become a cause for concern.

Contacted this evening, Public Security Minister Khemraj said that he was very embarrassed by the development and pointed out that it reflects a clear dereliction of duty by those who were tasked with supervising the prisoners.

“I was informed by the DoP (Director of Prisons) well what what you want me to say boss? Its obvious that this is a dereliction of duty by the people who him there. I was stunned to hear that he had drinks in him” Ramjattan told BIG Smith Crime Watch when contacted.

He said there are instances where family members would also provide liquid and food to their relatives and he is not sure if that was a factor but he assured that the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Prison have both been instructed to have the matter investigated thoroughly.