Two policemen were yesterday arraigned on charges that they were involved in corrupt transactions.

Constable Morris Mitchell, 22, of Linden, pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, while Rajpaul Patokie, 33, of Ruimveldt Police Station compound, pleaded not guilty to the charge of corrupt transaction of an agent, when acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson read the charges to them.

Mitchell denied that on March 9, he attempted to pervert the course of justice by misrepresenting the offence for which Carl Jerrick was arrested for. Meanwhile, Patokie, denied that on March 10, being an agent, he corruptly obtained $30,000 from Carl Jerrick as an inducement to forgo prosecuting him in relation to a principle matter.

The duo’s lawyer Patrice Henry requested that they be released on their own recognisance. He stated that Patokie had been a serving member of the Guyana Police Force for over nine years, while Mitchell had been a member just over three years.

He added that the men posed no risk of flight and would not tamper with the witnesses if granted bail. Henry went on to say that Mitchell is an expectant father of triplets and that he is scheduled to get married today.

Prosecutor Stephen Telford made no objections to bail, noting that the prosecution is ready to proceed with the matter since receiving advice on the matters from the Director of Public Prosecution. The prosecutor stated that Jerrick was informed by the policemen that they were charging him with possession of narcotics but that they would have reduced it to a loitering charge if he paid the money. The magistrate placed Mitchell on bail in the sum of $70,000, while she placed Patokie on $40,000 bail.

The duo is expected to make another court appearance on April 27 at Court Three.