Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 08, 2016 News
Eighteen-year old Nalini Manikam and her 12-year old sister walked side by side up the court stairs, as they were being escorted by police officers to face a charge for allegedly murdering their father.
Behind them were the boyfriend of the older sister, 21-year-old Veeran Dias Lall, also known as Adam, and his friend taxi driver, Devon Browne, 23, of Crane, West Coast Demerara.
The quartet was charged with the murder of 64-year-old Roger Manikam, whose body was discovered in a clump of bushes along the Coldingen Railway Embankment on Sunday.
They arrived at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, which is temporarily being housed at the pavilion of the Better Hope Community Centre Ground, around 11:00 hours, under heavy police escort.
As soon as curious onlookers realized that they were the accused in the highly-publicised murder, camera phones were pulled out. Many jostled each other to capture the moment.
It was the same with reporters, many of whom had travelled from the city to ensure that the story was covered.
The charge was read to the quartet by Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul, minutes after she had virtually emptied the court for the in-camera hearing due to the fact that a juvenile was involved.
However, curious onlookers and reporters peered through the open door and got a glimpse of the accused as they stood calmly in the prisoners’ dock. This led to the police ranks closing the door and ordering everyone downstairs, and out of earshot.
However, this newspaper understands that the magistrate gave the particulars of the charge which alleged that on April 3, they murdered Roger Manikram.
The accused were not required to plead to the indictable charge and were remanded to prison until May 6.
Police Prosecutor, Lance Corporal David Goodridge, who represented the state at yesterday’s first call-up, is expected to continue dealing with the matter when the actual preliminary inquiry commences.
Relatives and friends of the deceased and the accused turned up at the court to witness the arraignment.
At the end of the hearing, the bewildered-looking accused were escorted to a waiting police pick-up van and whisked away amidst flashing cameras. Shouts of ‘stay strong’ were heard coming from relatives.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 19, 2024
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