Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn has informed attorney, Nigel Hughes that the Regional Security System’s (RSS) report into allegations made by police detective Dion Bascom which include an alleged cover-up in the Ricardo Fagundes murder probe remains “confidential” and as such he cannot be provided with a copy of same.
“Please be advised the RSS report relating to the ongoing investigations to which you referred was produced as a result of an inquiry initiated by His Excellency, Dr Irfaan Ali and that report remains confidential,” Benn told Hughes in a letter dated September 23, 2022 which was seen by Stabroek News.
The letter was signed by Benn.
Hughes had previously written to Benn requesting a copy of the RSS report.
The RSS report into the allegations made by Bascom was not released by the Government even though President Ali had stated that once it is completed and tabled, he would ask the police to share the findings.
“Once that report is completed and tabled … then I will urge the police to share the findings of the report,” Ali had said when asked last month by Stabroek News about his government’s stance on making the report available.
In early September, the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a statement purporting to relate the key findings of the review of the investigation, which said the RSS found no evidence of corruption or attempt to cover up the Fagundes murder.
According to the ministry, the main objectives of the report were to determine whether the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has effectively investigated the unlawful killing/ homicide of Fagundes, to determine whether there is any evidence to support any wrongdoing by D/ Supt. Mitchell Caesar and Inspector Nigel Stephens of the GPF as alleged by Bascom and to review the investigation of the Fagundes case by the GPF and any actions taken by the investigating officers.
In August, in a widely seen Facebook live video Bascom claimed that a multi-million dollar bribe was accepted by a senior rank of the force to cover-up the murder of Fagundes, also known as ‘Paper Shorts,’ while at the same time accusing the force of major corruption.
In that video and a subsequent one, Bascom had expressed his dissatisfaction at the way the force handled him and other ranks and described it as ‘mistreatment.’
After Bascom went public, Hughes wrote President Ali asking for witness protection in keeping with the provisions under the Protected Disclosures Act. He had said he was fearful for his life. To date, there has been no response to the request.
On September 4, Bascom was faced with the three cybercrime charges. The charges allege that on August 13, at Eve Leary, Georgetown, he used a computer system to transmit electronic data with intent to humiliate, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to Superintendent Mitchell Caesar. He was also charged with doing the same on August 19th at Hadfield Street to Superintendent Chabinauth Singh and the same to Superintendent Caesar.
He was granted his release on $100,000 bail on each charge.
Bascom was subsequently interdicted from duty and placed on half pay following his arraignment on the cybercrime charges.
Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, in a September 16, 2022 letter seen by Stabroek News, informed Bascom of the decision.
“Pursuant to you being charged for the criminal offence to wit “Using a Computer system to humiliate a person” contrary to Section 19(5)(a) of the Cyber Crime Act No. 16 of 2018, you are hereby interdicted from duty and placed on half pay with effect from 2022-09-14, pending the determination of said criminal charge.
“All powers conferred on you by virtue of your office of Sergeant are taken away completely. You are forbidden to wear [your] uniform, exercise your office of Sergeant and you are not permitted to enter any Police Station or Compound except to make a report.
“Your failure to attend court and or to be available when summoned by the Guyana Police Force may result in you being absent from duty and may have consequences flowing therefrom,” the letter stated.
