City Councillor Mr. Dexter Forte spent two days in West Ruimveldt lock up for allegedly calling former city deputy mayor, Ms. Patricia Chase Green, ‘sell-out,’ ‘switch’, and ‘hungry belly’
Reports reaching Village Voice News said at approximately 17:15 hours Sunday A Partnership of National Unity (APNU) team led by Forte was on a walk-about/ canvassing exercise in the Festival City/ North Ruimveldt area when they met a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) team apparently led by Patricia Chase-Green on a similar exercise.
Forte and team were chanting pro APNU slogans. After leaving Mittelholzer Street and entering Flying Fish Street, a police patrol approached the APNU delegation, followed by the PPP/C, and asked Forte to accompany them to La Penitence Police Station where statements were taken from several PPP activists and only a report taken from Forte. Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde appeared at the East La Penitence Police State to provide legal representation.
The councillor was subsequently taken to the West Ruimveldt Police Station and locked up. It is being alleged Forde threatened members of the PPP/ C, an allegation vehemently denied by him and team members. A report was made by Chase-Green that she was verbally abused by Forte. Chase-Green was a former supporter of the APNU.
This publication was informed that at the police station when the PPP/C team was approached by operatives of the APNU to amicably resolve perceived differences, persons were reportedly told the matter is in the hands of the ‘boss, Jagdeo and he said that an example must be made of Mr. Forte.’
Further, this publication was advised when supporters of the Opposition asked the female rank why the councillor was being detained, the rank’s response was that she was ‘working with instructions from the top.’
Shortly after Nomination Day for Local Government Elections, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is General Secretary of the PPP/C posted on the party’s Facebook that he would personally ensure the Police strong action taken against persons who “found culpable” of threatening party supporters of African- Guyana. Jagdeo in 2019 had publicly urged PPP/C supporters to “chase” APNU supporters out of their communities.
His statement, as posted on the party’s Facebook, reads: “I urge any individual who is supportive of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (particularly those of Afro-Guyanese ancestry), who has been threatened or faced acts of bullyism by operatives of the PNC/APNU on any matter related to local government election, to make contact via 𝐓𝐞𝐥: 𝟓𝟗𝟐-xxx-xxxx. I will 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 ensure that every case is fully investigated by the relevant law enforcement agency and strong action is taken against those found culpable.”
Last evening the councillor was released from West Ruimveldt on $30,000 station bail. This morning he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus. He was represented by attorney-at-law Darren Wade. Forte was placed on $10,000 bail and advised to stay away from Chase-Green until the matter is determined.
The matter is put down until June for hearing.
