The charge against Sheneza Jafarally, the University of Guyana (UG) student who is accused of making a bomb threat earlier this year that disrupted classes and operations at the Turkeyen Campus, was yesterday dismissed by Magistrate Ruschelle Liverpool.
Jafarally, of 36 Sixth Street, Cummings Lodge, was on trial before Magistrate Liverpool, at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. She upheld a no-case submission when the matter was called yesterday.
It is alleged that the accused on February 5, at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, sent by means of public communication, a message which she knew to be false for the purpose of causing needless anxiety to the staff and students of UG. The sales consultant denied the charge when it was initially read to her by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts.
The prosecution closed the case in December after about nine witnesses testified. However, Jafarally’s attorney, Latchmie Rahamat argued that the prosecution failed to lead evidence to support the particulars of the charge. Further, she argued that the prosecution did not provide enough evidence to show that Jafarally sent any message using a telecommunications system. The Magistrate upheld the no-case submission and thus, the charge was dismissed.
When Jafarally was first charged she had been placed on remand although her attorney argued that she was kept in police custody for more than 72 hours after being arrested. Rahamat assured the court that Jafarally would adhere to any conditions set by the court if granted reasonable bail. She further said that the only evidence against her client was a computer-generated printout, which was shown to the accused and bore a number similar to hers, but had no signature or other relevant markings.
However, Police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted, while highlighting the serious nature of the offence and the potential for the spread of public terror.
On February 22 Jafarally was released on $10,000 bail granted by Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown.
