Former Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), Trevor Benn was arrested by the police yesterday morning for questioning in relation to the sale of several acres of land belonging to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that Benn was arrested and remained in police custody up to last evening.
According to Blanhum, Benn is being questioned in relation to the leasing of six acres of land at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) to Janico Vide Engineering Limited.
Benn is facing the accusation of defrauding the state by inducing persons by false pretense, knowing that the land is owned by the NICIL.
Other allegations will also be put to him while he is in custody.
Just days ago, the government filed court action to have lands sold to Car Care Enterprise owner Wilfred Brandford repossessed. Benn and former Ministry of Finance Valuator Julian Barrington were also sued in excess of $100M each for their roles in the transaction.
During September last year, Benn was instructed to proceed on 42 days’ vacation.
On August 7th last year, the government had announced that all public land deals made by the APNU+AFC administration from December 21st, 2018, would be reviewed.
Subsequent to that, Benn was terminated from the post with effect from February 4th, 2021. He received his termination letter in November 2020, which gave him three months’ notice.
