Nigel Hughes, the lawyer for Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield, his deputy Roxanne Myers and District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo says they were given very late notice by the police to attend court on Wednesday for the hearing of new elections charges against them.
By the time the accused turned up at court, the matter had already been called by a Georgetown magistrate and summonses issued for the trio to attend court on another date.
A release issued by Hughes follows:
PRESS RELEASE on the alleged no appearance of Lowenfield Myers and Mingo at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court
Several media outlets have reported that Mr. Keith Lowenfield, Ms Roxanne Myers and Mr. Clairmont Mingo failed to attend the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on the 9th June 2021 before Her Worship Ms Sherdel Issacs.
The following is the chronology of events which has led to the misrepresentation of the circumstances leading to the issuance of a summons to attend court for the above persons.
Mr. Keith Lowenfiled and Ms Roxanne Myers were invited to attend the CID Eve Leary on Tuesday the 8th June 2021 at 3.30 PM.
This invitation was issued by Senior Superintendent Mitchell Ceaser via Nigel Hughes in his capacity as Attorney at law for to Mr. Lowenfield and Ms Myers and to them.
In keeping with the request both Mr. Lowenfield and Ms Myers attended the CID HQ at 3.30 PM where there were informed in a video recorded interview of the intention of the Guyana Police Force to file two criminal charges of conspiracy to defraud the electors of Guyana between March 2nd 202 and August 2nd 2020.
At the conclusion of the video recorded interviews Mr. Nigel Hughes specifically inquired of Mr. Mitchell Ceaser when would Mr. Lowenfield and Ms Myers be required to attend court and Mr. Ceaser indicated that he would contact Mr. Hughes to inform him of the date and time as the charges had not yet been filed.
Mr. Ceaser then requested the presence of Mr. Mingo the following day and it was agreed that he would attend the CID HQ at 8.15 AM the following day.
On Wednesday the 9th June 2021 at 8.15 AM Mr. Clairmont Mingo attended the CID HQ with his Attorney at law. He was informed in a video recorded interview that the Guyana Police Force intended to institute two charges against him of conspiring with Keith Lowenfield Roxanne Myers, Volda Lawrence Carol Joseph and others to defraud the electors of Guyana in the 2020 national and regional elections.
After the conclusion of the interview Mr. Hughes inquired of the officers when would Mr. Mingo be required to attend Court. He was informed that they were unable to say as the charges had not yet been filed.
Mr. Mingo then left Georgetown to return to his home in Beladrum, West Coast Berbice.
At 10.52 AM Mr. Ceasar called Nigel Hughes and asked that all three persons attend court at 11.00 AM.
Mr. Hughes informed Mr. Ceasar that it would be impossible as Mr. Mingo was on his way back to west Coast Berbice and it may be difficult to attend court in eight minutes. He further indicated to Mr. Ceasar that he would have to contact Mr. Lowenfield and Ms. Myers to inform them of the requirement to attend court in eight minutes which at point it would be impossible in Georgetown.
When informed Mr. Mingo immediately started his return to Georgetown.
At 10.55 AM Mr. Ceasar called Mr. Hughes again and informed him that the matter had been fixed for 12.00 noon.
At 11.45 Mr. Mingo and Mr. Lowenfield were standing outside of Georgetown Magistrate’s Court 3 awaiting the 12.00 hearing when the court prosecutor informed Mr. Hughes that the matter was called at 11.00 AM and was adjourned to the 29th June 2021 as there was no evidence that the defendants had been informed. He indicated that the Magistrate has ordered that a summons be issued to the defendants
It was indicated to the Prosecutor in the presence of another Senior Police Officer that the request to attend court was received at 10.52 AM.
Ms Roxanne Myers attended the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court 3 at 11.50 AM.
The only notification to attend court at 11.00 AM was issued by way of a telephone call at 10.52 AM to Counsel for Mr. Lowenfield, Ms Myers and Mr. Mingo.
Dated the 10th day of June 2021
C.A. Nigel Hughes
Attorney at law for Mr. Keith Lowenfiled , Ms Roxanne Myers and Mr. Clairmont Mingo.