In a recent explosive recording by Detective Sergeant Dion Bascom, accusing a senior rank in the Guyana Police Force of unprofessional conduct and collusion with well known city businessman in the killing of Ricardo Fagundes aka ‘Paper Shorts,’ his attorney-at-law, Mr. Nigel Hughes, wrote President Irfaan Ali seeking protection for his client.
The President, who is presently in Trinidad and Tobago on official duties, has at least up to last evening not seen the letter.
Hughes wrote the President seeking “witness protection” for his client pursuant to Section 20 of the Protected Disclosures Act (2018). In the letter the attorney expressed, “fear that the life of our client is in grave danger.” Bascom, in his video, said given the information he is revealing he is “a dead man walking.”
His recording is eerily similar to a 2004 recording of George Bacchus who described himself as an informant in a parallel police force (phantom squad) and had alleged the involvement of government officials, including then Minister of Home Affairs Ronald Gajraj. In the wee hours of June 24, 2004 he was shot and killed in his home in Hadfield Street, Lodge, while sleeping in his bed.
The security and safety of Bascom have attracted widespread attention. Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clinton Conway, in conversation with Village Voice expressed concern Bascom is not yet provided protection by the state. He recalled that it was on the eve of Bacchus having to appear to give testimony he was killed.
Criminologist and social activist Mark Benschop told Village Voice if anything untoward happens to Bascom the Guyana Government will be responsible. The “Straight Up” programme host said “Bascom is a valuable witness for the state, is also employed by the state, and the state has a duty to protect him where his life is in danger and he has information to share that can help the state in crime fighting.” Benschop reminded that the President said he has no problem with providing the sergeant with protection, and wants to know what is taking him so long given the urgency of the matter.
Hughes, who appeared Wednesday on the “Straight Up” programme, said “given the grave circumstances, every second literally counts that [the president] hasn’t yet been able to address this.” The last thing we want is for some time now and the weekend we no longer have Mr. Bascom with us, that will be an awful situation, and from my side of the pond it is urgent, said the lawyer.
The Opposition, A Partnership For National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) in a press conference on Tuesday, announced their support for “protections and other measures common to whistle-blowing arrangements” for Bascom even as they expressed skepticism the government will act on the side of the rule of law.
The letter to President Ali was dispatched more than two days ago and according to Hughes the Office of the President has acknowledged receiving same.
