While the two-and-a-half-year trial of Mr Omprakash ‘Buddy’ Shivraj plodded on ever so ponderously before magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Providence court, it was surprising to learn that the chief witness, Mr Joseph O’Lall, had been removed from his post as chief executive officer of the Guyana Energy Agency with effect from December 31 2007.
Mr O’Lall had been instrumental in bringing charges against Mr Shivraj for storing a quantity of petroleum on his property on the East Bank Demerara in September 2005 without a licence issued by the Guyana Energy Agency. Mr Anil Nandlall was appointed special prosecutor and Mr O’Lall’s evidence, expertise and experience were seen as essential in a crucial case concerning contraband commerce in this country. Would Mr O’Lall’s sudden dismissal affect the outcome?
The administration has consistently expressed its intention to eradicate the pernicious practice of smuggling. As far back as September 2003, the cabinet had commissioned an inquiry into fuel smuggling. At that time, President Bharrat Jagdeo announced that existing laws were adequate to deal with the crime and no new legislation would be necessary. He did say, however, that “the problems we had recently had nothing to do with law. You had a bunch of corrupt people
