Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, who is representing Detective Sergeant Dion Bascom, has written to acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, requesting a copy of the report prepared by the Regional Security System (RSS).
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday issued a statement that the inquiry conducted by the RSS found “no evidence of corrupt practices or any attempt to cover up Ricardo Fagundes murder case.”
Without interviewing Bascom, the main complainant, that led to the RSS investigation, the ministry in its release said “it is the opinion of the reviewing officer that the Guyana Police Force has done extensive work into the unlawful killing/ homicide investigation. There is no evidence to suggest that there was any attempt to cover- up this case and there is also no evidence of corrupt practices as alleged by Sgt. Bascom.”
This is not sitting well with the sergeant, who in the lawyer’s letter advised the acting Top Cop, what was “read in the press about the purported contents of a report issued by the Regional Security System (RSS) into the statements made by our client about the conduct of the investigation into the murder of Mr. Fagundes outside of Palm Court…that an interview with” Bascom “was never sought during the course of the investigation conducted by the RSS.”
It was further made known the release “purports to implicate our client in the breach of specific laws as well as impugn his character.”
The ministry’s release said:
“It was noted that [Bascom’s] decision to make these live streams was in contravention of Section 19 (5) (a) of the Cyber Crime Act No. 16 of 2018 of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana where he used a computer system to transmit electronic data with intent to humiliate, harass or cause distress to D/ Supt. Mitchell Roach, D. Supt. Chabinauth Singh and Detective Sgt. Kester Cosbert and others
“It is noted that Sgt. Bascom’s private employment as a security officer for the businessman was in direct contravention of Section 32 of the Police Act CAP 16:01 which prohibits members of the GPF from engaging in Trade or Business without the consent of the Commissioner of Police (COP). Further, Section 31 (1) prohibits the rank from holding any other office or employment for hire or gain.”
In the release, it is also alleged, the sergeant was leaking information to the media and living rent free in the property of an Essequibo businessman who he was providing personal security service for.
Hicken is further advised, the sergeant “remains available for any interview with the RSS or other external independent investigation.”
The letter also made known to Hicken the sergeant “repeats and relies on the contents of his earlier statements which were submitted to the Office of Professional Responsibility.”
And whilst Bascom holds expectation a copy of the RSS Report would be made available, based on request, the letter to the acting Top Cop also made clear the “hope that the necessity for further action in relation to the above request can be avoided.”
Bascom, in a social media post, had alleged the senior members in the Guyana Police Force up might have hindered the investigations into the murder of Ricardo Fagundes aka “Paper Shorts.” In a press conference with his lawyer the sergeant said he is standing by his statement. Fagundes was shot and killed execution style outside of Palm Court in March 2021.
