An adjournment was granted on Wednesday in the proceedings against former PPP/C Minister of Housing Irfaan Ali, who is facing 19 charges of conspiracy to defraud by common law, pending the outcome of a stay application in the High Court.
The charges, which were brought against Ali by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), details offences alleged to have occurred between the period of September, 2010 to March 30, 2015, in connection with the Pradoville 2 Housing Scheme on the East Coast of Demerara, which involve housing allocations to six Cabinet members—then president Bharrat Jagdeo, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon and ministers Priya Manickchand, Dr Jennifer Westford, Robert Persaud and Clement Rohee—along with other persons with connections to the government.
The basis of the charges is that the lands were sold far below their value. It is unclear if any action is contemplated against the recipients of the land.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan stated that the court was in receipt of a document which stated that the matter at the High Court as it relates to the charges against Ali has been stayed.
Attorney Devindra Kissoon, who represents the accused in association with Anil Nandlall and Priya Manickchand, told the court that there is an application to amend the matter before the High Court, which will be heard on March 19th. He added that no date has been set as yet for the actual hearing of the other proceedings. Kissoon requested that an adjournment be granted in the matter.
There was no objection to the request by SOCU prosecutor Patrice Henry.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until April 29.
