Audit witnesses fearful of testifying – Ramjattan

The effort to bring those responsible for financial transgressions found by audits is being slowed by fearful witnesses, according to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan who was asked about the apparent lack of prosecutions and sloth in prosecuting errant public officials, GINA said.
Addressing stakeholders at the Golden Jubilee, National Symposia Series at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre, Ramjattan said that Government is keen on bringing those responsible for impropriety to justice wherever they may be, GINA reported.
“Minister (Jennifer) Westford has been charged and that’s pending. The trial is going on as I understand. There is somebody with her who has been charged. The fellow from GPL, Aeshwar Deonarine has been charged and Mr. Carvil Duncan has been charged, prosecution is going on there. We have asked the Canadian Royal Mounted Police to find Mr. Aeshwar Deonarine (former Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of Administration), they are going to find him soon and he is going to be sent back here. ”
Ramjattan added that there are “lots of other forensic audits that indicate they should go further on, into police investigations” but he said that the lack of a witness protection programme is stymieing the prosecution’s efforts.
“A lot of the witnesses that gave their evidence to the auditors are scared like hell to give their evidence to the police now, knowing that those fellows that they might bring to court, know that they can suffer at their hands.”
GINA said that the Minister lamented that a witness protection plan was not available locally, “So they are scared.”