‘I have nothing to hide’

…James Bond says after police detention
…willing to take lie detector test to prove innocence

By Lisa Hamilton

Attorney-at-Law and People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) Member, James Bond has been transferred to the Brickdam Police station after being arrested earlier at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and being asked to take a lie detector test. His arrest is in relation to land dealings under the APNU+AFC Government.

The Village Voice learned on Tuesday that he was being questioned earlier at the CID in relation to conspiracy to defraud and is thus far representing himself. “I’ve been taken into police custody for questioning at CID Headquarters. I’ve been asked to take a lie detector test surrounding the allegations made against me by Mr. Eddie Doolall and Mr. Avlon Jagnanan,” Bond said while at the CID.

After being transferred to the Brickdam Police station, he stated: “I’m still in police custody and am being kept for 72 hours at Brickdam Police Station. I will not request bail, because I have nothing to hide. I am ready and willing to do a lie detector test to prove my innocence, but I am still to be provided with the opportunity to do so.”

There are allegations that Bond, among others, benefitted from the sale of State lands at Peter Hall which were transferred to Chinese national, Jianfen Yu, the sub-lessee.

The lands were leased from National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and later transferred or sublet. However, former head of the Special Purpose Unit (SPU), Colvin Heath-London, who has also been questioned by the police, has put forward evidence to show that the Board of NICIL had approved the land transactions.

The sub-letting was reportedly made possible following a 2018 Board decision under the leadership of NICIL’s former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Horace James. It was decided that lease transactions should be amended to facilitate sub-letting to create a more competitive platform. It was also decided that Industrial Parks Lease Transactions be formulated immediately for the Peter’s Hall area and areas such as Berbice and Demerara were also slated as possible industrial park developments sites to be commissioned.

The information provided by Heath-London included an invoice issued by NICIL for rent addressed to Jianfen Yu (sub-lessee) for the rental of plots A 17, A 18 and A 19 for 2020. It also included the receipt issued by NICIL to Jianfen Yu for the payment of the rental by the sub-lessee for the aforementioned properties.

Both documents bear the logo of NICIL and the invoice was prepared and signed by Account Receivable Clerk, Wenston Mingo and reviewed, checked and signed by Finance Controller, Geary Reid. However, the police are still continuing their investigation.

Others involved include Life 1 Pharms Inc. Director, Avalon Jagnandan and Director of A-Z Pharmaceuticals Medical Supplies and Equipment Inc., Eddie Doolal, the initial lessees of the lands in 2018 which were transferred to Jianfen Yu in 2020. They have also been questioned by the police.

After taking up Office, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo said that companies or persons who were vested State lands by the NICIL after the no-confidence motion against APNU+AFC will escape penalties if they relinquish these lands back to the State.

On the contrary, the APNU+AFC Coalition has called on persons who purchased or leased lands and other properties post no-confidence motion not to return these lands since they were obtained legally.

Even so, the investigations continue as Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall has vowed that he will commence civil proceedings against all persons believed to be involved in “flagrant illegalities” regarding land transactions under the former Administration.