Nigel Hughes give time-stamp on Lowenfield, myers and Mingo court appearance
Prominent lawyer, Nigel Hughes who is representing several high-ranking GECOM officials who are charged with electoral fraud in relation to March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections have responded to media reports about his clients failing to attend court on Wednesday.
Below is the statement issued on Thursday evening by counsel:
Several media outlets have reported that Mr. Keith Lowenfield, Ms. Roxanne Myers, and Mr. Clairmont Mingo failed to attend the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on June 9, 2021, before Her Worship Ms. Sherdel Issacs.
The following is the chronology of events which has led to the misrepresentation of the circumstances leading to the issuance of a summons to attend court for the above persons.
Mr. Keith Lowenfiled and Ms. Roxanne Myers were invited to attend the CID Eve Leary on Tuesday the 8th June 2021 at 3.30 PM. This invitation was issued by Senior Superintendent Mitchell Ceaser via Nigel Hughes in his capacity as Attorney-at-law to Mr. Lowenfield and Ms. Myers.
In keeping with the request, both Mr. Lowenfield and Ms. Myers attended the CID HQ at 3.30 PM where they were informed in a video recorded interview of the intention of the Guyana Police Force to file two criminal charges of conspiracy to defraud the electors of Guyana between March 2nd, 2020 and August 2nd, 2020.
At the conclusion of the video-recorded interviews, Mr. Nigel Hughes specifically inquired of Mr. Mitchell Ceaser when would Mr. Lowenfield and Ms. Myers be required to attend court. Mr. Ceaser indicated that he would contact Mr. Hughes to inform him of the date and time as the charges had not yet been filed.
Mr. Ceaser then requested the presence of Mr. Mingo the following day and it was agreed that he would attend the CID HQ at 8.15 AM the following day.
On Wednesday the 9th June 2021 at 8.15 AM, Mr. Clairmont Mingo attended the CID HQ with his Attorney-at-law. He was informed in a video-recorded interview that the Guyana Police Force intended to institute two charges against him of conspiring with Keith Lowenfield, Roxanne Myers, Volda Lawrence, Carol Joseph, and others to defraud the electors of Guyana in the 2020 national and regional elections.
After the conclusion of the interview, Mr. Hughes inquired of the officers when would Mr. Mingo be required to attend court. He was informed that they were unable to say as the charges had not yet been filed. Mr. Mingo then left Georgetown to return to his home in Beladrum, West Coast Berbice.
At 10.52 AM, Mr. Ceasar called Nigel Hughes and asked that all three persons attend court at 11.00 AM. Mr. Hughes informed Mr. Ceasar that it would be impossible as Mr. Mingo was on his way back to West Coast Berbice and it may be difficult to attend court in eight minutes.
He further indicated to Mr. Ceasar that he would have to contact Mr. Lowenfield and Ms. Myers to inform them of the requirement to attend court in eight minutes which at that point would be impossible in Georgetown.
When informed Mr. Mingo immediately started his return to Georgetown. At 10.55 AM, Mr. Ceasar called Mr. Hughes again and informed him that the matter had been fixed for 12.00.
At 11.45, Mr. Mingo and Mr. Lowenfield were standing outside of Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 3 awaiting the 12.00 hearing when the court prosecutor informed Mr. Hughes that the matter was called at 11.00 AM and was adjourned to the 29th June 2021 as there was no evidence that the defendants had been informed. He indicated that the Magistrate has ordered that a summons be issued to the defendants.
It was indicated to the Prosecutor in the presence of another Senior Police Officer that the request to attend court was received at 10.52 AM. Ms. Roxanne Myers attended the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 3 at 11.50 AM.
The only notification to attend court at 11.00 AM was issued by way of a telephone call at 10.52 AM to Counsel for Mr. Lowenfield, Ms. Myers, and Mr. Mingo.
