PNCR Chair Volda Lawrence was today placed on $100,000 bail after appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennon on private criminal charges including conspiring to forge documents to show a win for APNU+AFC at the March 2nd general elections.
The charges were filed in March by Charles Ramson Jr against Lawrence and District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo in relation to the controversial results for District Four. Attempts to serve the notices on them had not succeeded.
Lawrence, the former Minister of Public Health, appeared before the Chief Magistrate without being served and was read the indictable charge. This was confirmed by Special Prosecutor Glenn Hanoman. He also said that Mingo is yet to make an appearance.
The charge against Lawrence states that the she conspired with persons to forge 24 documents to show a fraudulent win for APNU+AFC in the March 2nd Elections. Lawrence is also charged with procuring Mingo to, on or about March 4th, 2020 at Hadfield and High streets, Georgetown to undertake this task. She is also charged with uttering to the Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield, a Form 24 Representation of the People Act Regional Elections Return dated March 5, 2020, knowing same to be forged, with intent to defraud the people of the State of Guyana.
Lawrence was represented by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, who made a bail application on Lawrence’s behalf. He highlighted to the court that Lawrence attended court of her own accord and that the court should take that into consideration for bail. He also requested that she be placed on self-bail.
Hanoman told this newspaper that the prosecution did not object to bail given that Lawrence attended court. He noted that the charges had been filed since March and that both accused were absent when the matter was first called.
Lawrence is expected to return to court on September 11th. Mingo is also expected to be served by then or attend court on his own on the date fixed.
Lowenfield, who is also before the court for electoral fraud and misconduct was also at court this morning. His matter will be investigated by the police according to Hanoman. Lowenfield who is on $450,000 bail is also expected to attend court on September 11th. The Chambers of the DPP has taken over prosecution of this matter.
