Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, has defended the appointment of Superintendent Krishna Ramana, formerly of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), to the new position as Commander of Regional Division 4C.
When asked by Stabroek News as to why he was appointed, Benn replied that he was the best person available to take up the position.
“There was an opening in respect of the command structure, and he was the best person then available,” Benn explained.
The position came into effect on August 10. The Superintendent has taken over from Senior Super-intendent Khali Pareshram who is now heads Regional Division 3.
It was in in October 2022, almost a year ago, that Superintendent Ramana wrongfully arrested attorney-at-law, Tamie-ka Clarke while he was at SOCU.
Clarke was arrested after she advised her client, who was at the time being investigated by the agency, not to answer their questions.
Subsequently, Clarke through her senior, Nigel Hughes, filed a case against the state, in which $300,000 was being sought for damages.
Two private criminal charges were laid at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court against Superinten-dent Ramana and Ser-geants Navranda Persaud and Winston Singh. Direc-tor of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack later discontinued the criminal charges.
It was noted by the DPP that the matter dealing with the case is one that is civil in nature and the High Court will pronounce on it.
Earlier this year, Chief Justice, Roxane George SC, ruled that Clarke’s arrest was unconstitutional.
When Benn was questioned about the appointment of such a controversial figure, he sidestepped and stuck to his original answer.
“I’m saying and I have already said that there was an opening and he was the best person available at that time.”
