Embattled Clairmont Mingo granted $600K bail

The embattled Returning Officer of Region Four Clairmont Mingo was Monday granted $150,000 bail each for four charges of misconduct in public office relating to the March 2 general and regional elections.

He appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and was represented by Attorneys Darren Wade and Nigel Hughes. The bail totals $600,000.

The charges alleged that on March 5 and March 13, 2020 at High and Hadfield Streets, Mingo while being a Public Officer that is to say the Returning Officer of Region Four for the March 2 Regional and General Elections, he declared a result without ascertaining the total number of votes which resulted in him willingly misconducting himself without any reasonable excuse or justification.

Wade, following the court hearing, told reporters outside the court that Mingo has to lodge his passport and report to the Police every Friday at 9am.

He is slated to re-appear in court on September 25, 2020.

Mingo was arrested by the Police on August 25 at his Calcutta, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara home as police probe electoral fraud following the polls.

There are protestors outside the court being led by senior members of the defeated APNU+AFC Coalition including Amna Ally, Nicolette Henry and Annette Ferguson, who are calling for Mingo to be released.

The three APNU GECOM Commissioners were also present outside the court.

The story will be updated in a subsequent report.