One week after he was charged for allegedly leasing a portion of land at Ogle, former Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Trevor Benn was yesterday questioned by the police in relation to two other land transactions.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum yesterday told Stabroek News that Benn was summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary for questioning in relation to two other matters. He was subsequently released. Speaking to reporters outside of CID Headquarters yesterday, Benn said that he was informed through his attorney that the police requested that he return to the CID.
Upon his arrival, Benn said he was detained and two allegations were read to him.
Benn is being accused of receiving $100M for a portion of land on Mandela Avenue and selling a portion of land on Aubrey Barker.
He said the police claimed that he had no authority to lease the land at the time.
Benn said that it is unclear why these allegations were not put to him while he was in police custody during last week.
“…..I was sitting in a cell for most of Thursday. These allegations could have been read to me on Thursday. But again, they want to inflict maximum pain on me. Maximum embarrassment and harassment,” he said, while adding, “…they want to make sure Trevor Benn is broken”.
He said it is also unclear why he is being targeted while noting that he tries to be as “apolitical” as possible.
“…..Anyone who know me, I try to be as apolitical as possible, nonpartisan as possible. I don’t own a party card….I don’t overly get involved in politics so I am not sure why I am the target,” Benn added.
Benn said he has not yet been charged in relation to the new allegations but was told that the police will keep in touch with his lawyer.
Last Wednesday, Benn was arrested by the police in relation to the leasing of six acres of land at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) to Janico Vide Engineering Limited.
Benn is accused of defrauding the state by inducing persons by false pretence, knowing that the land is owned by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).
On Friday, he was charged with misconduct in public office and placed on $200,000 bail. The matter was adjourned until March 31st.
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 position with effect from February 4th, 2021. He received his termination letter in November 2020, which gave him three months’ notice.
