Police have arrested prominent PNCR member and attorney James Bond, as the probe into the award of state lands at Peters Hall on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) widens.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed today that Bond is presently in police custody.
Bond is being questioned in relation to conspiracy to defraud the state, Blanhum said.
Bond has been deemed as the pivotal figure in several deals. He has declined to speak to Stabroek News on the matter.
He allegedly arranged several of the land deals and benefitted from the sale of the lease rights. At the time he was also supposedly looking after the interest of NICIL which was presiding over the leasing of the lands.
The government has since sought an investigation of the transactions and those deals now appear to be in jeopardy. These lands have attracted speculators as they are seen as valuable to the burgeoning oil and gas industry.
A number of other persons including businessman Eddie Doolal and former acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Colvin Heath-London have been questioned in relation to the investigation.
