By Leroy Smith
Paul Slowe, who is the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) set up to investigate the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger, has denied a request by Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum to re-appear before the CoI to challenge statements made by Assistant Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine.
Slowe told lawyers, particularly Glen Hanoman, that the letter which Blanhum sent to the Commission on Wednesday, would serve as part of the records of the Commission. Hanoman is representing the interest of Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud.
“Mr. Hanoman I have read the statement from Mr. Blanhum and I am aware that the Secretary has replied to him. I guess you will receive your copy in due time and the decision is that there is no need for Blanhum to return. The reply to him has indicated that the statement that he has sent would form part of the records of the Commission and due notice and attention would be given to his concerns about that particular statement,” the CoI Chairman announced.
In his letter, the Crime Chief accused the Assistant Commissioner of Police of deliberately uttering falsehood to the CoI.
The Crime Chief referred specifically to the comments made by Ramnarine that he [Ramnarine] received a briefing from Blanhum at 05:30hrs on March 30, 2017 and that during that same briefing, Blanhum said that he had granted bail to Nizam Khan, who is accused of soliciting an assassin to kill the President.
Blanhum in his letter to the Commission stated, “At no time did I brief Assistant Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine on the status of this investigation at 05:30 on the 30th March 2017 and I never told him that I granted bail to Nizam Khan because at 05:30 hours on the said date I had no knowledge that Nizam Khan was placed on station bail.”
The CoI concluded its public hearings today with the in camera testimony of a witness. On Friday, the lawyers on the Commission will be making their oral closing submissions.
