The High Court has ordered the immediate release of Nikita Greene, the mother of Police Constable Ryan Greene, after ruling that police failed to establish reasonable grounds for her continued detention in an investigation into the alleged unauthorised release of surveillance footage linked to Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed.
However, Justice Christel Lambert-Meertins declined to order the release of the 20-year-old constable, finding that police had established reasonable grounds to suspect him of involvement in the alleged offence.
The ruling followed a habeas corpus application filed by attorney-at-law Darren Wade on behalf of the family, challenging the detention of both individuals. Wade and Dr Dexter Todd represented their interests during the High Court proceedings.
The judge found that the mere fact that Nikita Greene had received money from her son was insufficient, without additional evidence, to justify suspecting her of a criminal offence.
Police allege that Constable Greene, who was attached to the Guyana Police Force’s Command Centre, downloaded surveillance footage covering the period October 23 into October 24, transferred it to a flash drive and handed it to Mohamed in exchange for $800,000.
Investigators further allege that the constable gave his mother $300,000 from the money, which she subsequently handed over to police. These allegations have not been proven in court.
In assessing the constable’s detention, Justice Lambert-Meertins distinguished between the evidence against him and the limited basis for holding his mother. The court’s decision does not amount to a finding that the constable committed an offence; it addresses whether there were sufficient grounds to justify his arrest and continued detention.
The investigation has drawn significant public attention because the footage allegedly transferred to Mohamed relates to an October 12 incident involving Senior Superintendent Prem Narine. Mohamed subsequently released footage at a press conference on October 26, claiming it showed Narine firing shots at a vehicle and describing the incident as an assassination attempt. The circumstances surrounding that incident remain contested.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who addressed the court, outlined possible offences under investigation, including corruption, interference with the administration of justice, witness tampering, common-law bribery and offences under anti-money laundering legislation. He indicated that police intended to seek an extension of the constable’s detention.
The ruling represents a significant distinction in the treatment of the two detainees: the court found no adequate basis to continue holding Nikita Greene, while allowing police to retain her son as investigations continue.
Both individuals remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until any allegations against them are established through the judicial process.
