SOCU withdraws charges against Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington

The charges were filed against the two in 2018 under the coalition government following an investigation into the sale of government lands at prices that were found to be below-market prices.

SOCU withdraws charges against Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington

The Special Organised Crime Unit of the Guyana Police Force has withdrawn misconduct in public office charges against recently appointed Finance Minister in the Office of the President Ashni Singh and former Head of NICIL Winston Brassington.

The move by SOCU comes less than three weeks after the High Court ruled that the charges against the two could continue in the Magistrates’ Court.

The two officials had moved to the High Court to challenge the validity of the charges for the sale of state lands under the previous PPP Government.

The charges were filed against the two in 2018 under the coalition government following an investigation into the sale of government lands at prices that were found to be below-market prices.

When the matter was called in the Magistrates’ Court today for its continuation, the SOCU Prosecutor informed the Court that SOCU was no longer continuing with the charges, which have since been completely withdrawn.

The two were represented by Attorney Sase Gunraj who confirmed the withdrawal of the charges to News Source this afternoon.

The two men had always maintained their innocence and said they believe the charges were politically motivated.

Charges that were being faced by President Irfaan Ali in connection with the same land deals were also withdrawn after he took office as President and the Director of Public Prosecutions recently withdrew charges against Attorney General Anil Nandlall.

Nandlall was facing charges in connection with the alleged theft of law books from the Legal Affairs Ministry.

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