A police prosecutor who is accused of dodging two sentence warrants was on Wednesday placed on self-bail after he was charged with obstructing the course of justice.
Shawn Gonsalves, 35, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge that between July 23, 2020 and November 27, 2021, at Diamond, he conspired with a person or persons unknown to obstruct the course of justice, so as to cause the disappearance or to falsely execute two sentencing warrants in favour of Vishal Munilall.
Gonsalves was represented by attorney Bernard Da Silva. The matter was adjourned until May 5.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that Gonsalves was arrested by the police on the allegation of “ducking” two sentence warrants to avoid Munilall being arrested.
Reports are that Gonsalves had initially denied the allegation during questioning but he reportedly later admitted to an Inspector that he was involved in the crime while he was under close arrest.
Gonsalves was charged based on legal advice obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
He has since been transferred and is now stationed at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU).
Police arrested Munilall late last year after sentence warrants were issued for him by a city magistrate. While at the station, an allegation was put to him that he and another man had obtained money by false pretense from Robin Bostwick of Eccles, EBD during February 2017.
Munilall later requested a call to his lawyer, which was facilitated by the police. Shortly after the call, his attorney arrived and moments later a female, later identified as Kulwantie Munilall arrived with a package.
Police had said the package was handed over to Munilall, who later asked to speak with the investigating officer during which he attempted to bribe the officer with $700,000.
The police said that the investigating officer while in the company of another officer immediately told them of the offence committed and cautioned them.
The Munilalls and Dehodary Odit were later charged with the offence and placed on bail.
The same day, Vishal’s brother, Vickram Munilall, and Odit were charged with obtaining money by false pretense. They denied this allegation also and were released on bail.
