(Kaieteur News) – Akash Singh, called “Monkey”, the third accused in the murder of the Henry boys, has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter.

Singh, 25, appeared at the Berbice High Court before Justice Gino Persaud on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to the lesser counts of manslaughter.

State prosecutor Marisa Edwards presented the summary of the charges to the court. It was alleged that between September 5 and 6, 2020, Singh murdered Isaiah Henry and Joel Henry, two cousins from West Coast Berbice.

Akash Singh

The bodies of Isaiah and Joel were discovered in a backdam at Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice.

Singh’s co-accused, Vinod Gopaul and Anil Sanchara, have already been tried and are currently serving life sentences handed down in July by Justice Simone Morris.

He became the prosecution’s key witness when the trial got underway back in May of this year, and his testimony proved critical to the prosecution’s case against Gopaul and Sanchara, who have maintained their innocence and accused Singh of conspiring with the police to frame them for the murders that stunned the nation.

After being apprehended back in 2021, Singh reportedly confessed to the crime to the police, which directly implicated Sanchara, who is also his sibling, and Gopaul, with whom he became acquainted through Sanchara.

It was Singh who told the court that he and the two now convicted men had journeyed to a backdam located at Cotton Tree Village, to tend to their marijuana farm. In his detailed account, Singh explained that they planted the herbs in August and returned in September, only to observe that the plants were destroyed by gramoxone. On September 5, he said he woke to a verbal exchange between the two men and the two teens, who were passing by their camp. Gopaul sought answers from the boys on whether they knew who destroyed the marijuana farm, to which the boys responded with laughter, Singh had told the court.

The boys were then attacked with cutlasses by Gopaul first, and before Sanchara followed. Singh noted that he was instructed to participate in the fatal assault, and that he was also ordered to carve ‘x’ on the foreheads of the two cousins.

After committing the crime, Singh said he was threatened by the two men that he would suffer a similar fate like the two cousins if he dared to approach the police with details of what they had done. He said he was forced to take part in the crime.

When asked on Monday if he made the decision to enter a guilty plea on his own volition, Singh confirmed to Justice Persaud that he was acting on complete understanding, his own will, and without coercion.

Singh was represented by attorney Horatio Edmondson.

After discharging the juror pool, Justice Persaud scheduled November 25, 2026, for sentencing, along with the presentation of probation, psychiatric, prison and other reports.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – The Commission of Inquiry into the fatal sinking of the MV Barima has officially published its governing procedural rules in the official gazette, establishing the formal framework for public hearings, witness interviews, and evidence collection as investigative work deepens at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The development comes as the secretariat prepares to host a press conference shortly to update the nation on its preliminary findings and timeline. Javed Shadick, secretary to the commission, confirmed with Kaieteur News that the commissioners will address the media directly regarding the ongoing proceedings in the coming week.

Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski at the Liliendaal Secretariat actively reviewing the MV Barima logbooks

Kaieteur News observed commission member Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski at the Liliendaal Secretariat actively reviewing the MV Barima logbooks. His technical examination forms part of an intensive documentary review into the vessel’s operational history and maritime logs.

The tragedy, which occurred when the vessel capsized and sank, claimed the lives of more than one hundred passengers and crew members. Families of the victims and survivors continue to call for accountability and swift closure.

The official publication, cited as the Commission of Inquiry (MV Barima) Rules of 2026, details sixty-six comprehensive provisions enacted under Section 9 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03. The rules were issued by chairman Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith SC of Belize, alongside fellow commissioners Captain Hamada Fouda, Nyree Dawn Alfonso attorney, Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden Pritchard, and Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski.

Javed Shadick

The mandate empowers the commission to investigate all circumstances leading to the sinking, determine the definitive causes, assess physical injuries and loss of life, and recommend structural reforms to national maritime safety protocols to prevent future casualties.

Under the gazetted regulations, proceedings will be conducted primarily in public from Monday to Friday between nine in the morning and four in the afternoon at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. No date has been communicated as yet. The commission retains the authority to order in-camera sittings only under specific circumstances where necessary to protect confidentiality, legal privilege, the proper administration of justice, or public safety.

The investigative phase focuses on interviewing witnesses, gathering physical evidence, and collecting relevant records. All persons, government agencies, and maritime entities in possession of original documents, electronic files, photographs, or physical evidence touching upon the inquiry are legally mandated to preserve those materials until further notice.

MV Barima lifejacket

The regulations outline strict grounds for individuals or entities seeking standing to participate in the hearings. Persons may apply for standing in writing if they played a direct role in the event, maintain a substantial personal or direct interest, such as survivors and family members of victims, or may be subject to criticism during the proceedings. Standing may also be awarded if an applicant’s participation is determined to be helpful in fulfilling the overall terms of reference.

Rule sixteen mandates that individuals seeking standing must submit a written application to the secretary detailing their contact information and that of their legal representative. To streamline the process, applicants are required to explain why standing is sought in a concise statement not exceeding three pages, accompanied by copies of relevant supporting documents.

Commission counsel will serve as the principal legal and administrative lead, tasked with managing procedural work, questioning witnesses, advising the commissioners, and ensuring matters affecting the public interest are thoroughly examined. Attorneys representing witnesses may appear during testimony to safeguard their clients’ legal rights.

To ensure procedural fairness, the commission is empowered to issue warning letters to any individual who may face explicit or significant criticism in evidence or within the final report, granting them a reasonable opportunity to respond. The commission may also issue formal summonses or subpoenas to compel witness attendance or the production of mandatory records.

All evidence and transcripts from public sittings will be made accessible to the public and the media via a dedicated website, which is being established to serve as the single authoritative public record.

While the commission consolidates its legal framework, decisions surrounding the physical recovery of the submerged vessel remain pending. More than three weeks after the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board opened bids submitted by three companies for the salvaging of the MV Barima, an official selection has not yet taken place.

Public records from the tender board show that two local firms, BK International Incorporated and Industrial Fabrication Incorporated, alongside a Dutch company from the Netherlands, KMS B.V., submitted proposals to salvage the wreck. The submitted bids range from approximately one billion dollars to over two billion dollars.

The commission’s preliminary workflow has already encompassed an initial site survey of the accident scene, the establishment of the administrative secretariat, and formal requests for critical technical data from key public entities, including the Maritime Administration Department, the Transport and Harbours Division, the Guyana Coast Guard, and the Air Guard.

Source: Kaieteur News

– former GECOM IT manager admits in court

(Kaieteur News) – New revelations surrounding the handling and security of Statements of Poll (SOPs) during Guyana’s contentious 2020 General and Regional Elections emerged in court, as former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Information Technology Manager Anneal Giddings faced cross-examination.

Testifying before Magistrate Faith McGusty, Giddings admitted under oath that 19 persons handled Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield’s SOPs before they were finally delivered to him, while disclosing gaps in written authorisation and server security protocols.

Anneal Giddings

Under questioning by defence attorney Eusi Anderson, Giddings detailed the multi-layered chain of custody that preceded Lowenfield taking possession of the official records. Among those who interacted with the documents prior to their ultimate delivery were People’s Progressive Party (PPP) commissioners. To oversee the processing of the SOPs before Lowenfield’s access, Giddings acknowledged that he personally handpicked a specialised team. When pressed on the makeup of this self-selected group, Giddings confirmed that five of the seven team members were Indo-Guyanese.

The cross-examination also exposed security vulnerabilities regarding the digital server housing electoral data. Giddings admitted to sharing the server’s password with two colleagues, Paul Persaud and Khalid Baksh. He further testified that Persaud knew and agreed to him transporting the server inside his personal vehicle.

Defence counsel pushed Giddings on the potential risk of physical tampering or data contamination while the server was in the vehicle, raising the point that a spare key existed that could grant access to the car. While Giddings insisted that no contamination occurred because the spare key remained untouched at his residence, the admission highlighted potential lapses in strict security procedures during a pivotal electoral period.

Court proceedings further uncovered administrative irregularities surrounding Giddings’ physical access to sensitive materials. Giddings conceded that he spent four hours inside a room with the server containing the SOPs alongside Paul Persaud on instructions from CEO Keith Lowenfield, despite explicit orders from Deputy Chief Election Officer Roxanne Myers to leave the room.

When questioned directly about his authorisation to remain with the SOPs for that four-hour period, Giddings admitted that he held no written approval, nor had he received oral authorisation from GECOM Chairperson Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh. While acknowledging the lack of authorisation from the commission’s chair, Giddings reiterated that he was following the direct verbal orders of the CEO.

The trial before Magistrate McGusty continues today.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Back in de old days, when yuh hear somebody seh dem gat fireside in dem house, nobody ain’t thinking about decoration. Dem was talking about a mud-baked stove.

That fireside was a serious piece of equipment. Yuh put some firewood and coal inside, blow till yuh nearly faint, and before long de whole kitchen hot enough to roast a breadfruit without even putting it near de fire.

And de curry!

Boy, curry cook on fireside had a different kind of authority. Chicken curry, duck curry, bunjal beef—anything cook on dem old fireside had flavour that could make a man forget he was supposed to be watching his blood pressure.

The heat from that fireside was so powerful that if yuh stand up too close, yuh could feel yuh eyebrows reconsidering their career.

But times change.

Today, when people tell yuh dem gat a fireside in de house, dem ain’t talking about no mud stove. Dem talking about one big fancy contraption imported from some cold country where people does wake up and find snow blocking de front door. Dem things does sit in de living room looking real sophisticated, waiting to warm up people who already living in a country where de sun does behave like it got personal issues with everybody.

And Guyanese people buying them. Some stores in Guyana actually selling firesides. Some of dem does call it fireplace. Fireside! Fireplace! In Guyana! A country where the weather does already provide free heating from January straight through December. We so foreign-minded that some people does install fireside in de living room, then turn on de air-conditioner to cool down de room.

Only in Guyana yuh could see a man sitting five feet from a fireside, wearing a jersey, with the air-conditioner humming overhead, and he still complaining, “Boy, this place cold, bai.”

Cold? Outside the temperature is trying to boil the Atlantic Ocean. The man probably have the thermostat set to “Antarctica” while the fireside working overtime like it owe him money.

Then somebody does come into the room and ask, “Why de fireside on?”

“Fuh ambiance.”

Ambiance! Back in the old days, fireside was for cooking. Today, fireside is for vibes. Next thing yuh know, somebody gon install a fireplace in the bedroom, put on two blankets, turn on the AC, and complain that Guyana weather is too unpredictable. Dem boys seh Guyana is the only place where yuh could freeze while sweating. And if that ain’t development, dem boys don’t know what is.

Talk half. Leff half.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Head of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Branch, Prem Narine, conceded in court that he unilaterally initiated surveillance on Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed without instructions from political superiors, amidst intense cross-examination during ongoing extradition proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman.

The revelation emerged during a line of questioning by defense counsel Siand Dhurjon, who accused the intelligence chief of deploying state resources to monitor and frame Mohamed long before the official extradition request arrived from the United States.

The proceedings took a turn when defence counsel pressed Narine on whether he had caused Mohamed to be under frequent surveillance. Narine initially refused to answer, citing statutory constraints. “As a result of the secret act that I signed the declaration, I don’t think I can answer that question,” Narine stated. Defence counsel immediately challenged the refusal, asking the presiding magistrate to compel an answer on the grounds that the Official Secrets Act contains no provision shielding a witness from testifying in a judicial inquiry. Following guidance from the court, Narine admitted under oath that he had indeed caused Mohamed to be monitored.

Reportedly Special Branch vehicle parked by the Mohameds’- PAC 2716, PAC 3139, PAG 3188

When asked whether this surveillance had begun long before the extradition request was submitted, Narine testified that he could not recall. Defense counsel argued that the special branch resources were heavily redirected starting in early 2024 to monitor Mohamed, his family, and his associates as part of a concerted effort to suppress political opposition.

“It is our case that Mr. Narine is a tool to frame the Mohameds… to transmit this request through illegal methods,” counsel argued, adding that the defence aimed to uncover “how far our leaders in government have gone to suppress the Mohameds and their political opinions.”

The prosecution objected, characterising the line of questioning as an irrelevant “fishing expedition” that wasted judicial time, noting that Narine’s role under Section 77 was limited to collecting the extradition documents, obtaining the warrant, and executing the arrest.

Overruling the prosecution’s objection, the magistrate allowed the questioning. Narine rejected defense suggestions that the surveillance was directed by high-ranking political figures, insisting that the operation was conducted entirely on his own initiative without reporting his findings to superiors. “Who instructed you to keep Mr. Azruddin Mohamed under surveillance?” defence counsel pressed. “No one instructed me,” Narine responded. “You just did it because you wanted to do it?”

“No, I had a reason for doing it,” the special branch chief replied, though he did not elaborate further on his motives before the court. When asked whether he submitted surveillance or monitoring reports detailing his findings to higher authorities, Narine testified, “I never did.”

Narine rejected suggestions that the president or members of the Cabinet had ordered the operation, maintaining that no one had recommended or suggested the monitoring to him.

The defence presented specific instances and vehicle registration numbers allegedly linked to special branch monitoring during Mohamed’s political outreaches throughout 2025, including visits to Pomeroon, Rimo village in the Rupununi River, the Berbice coast, and the Essequibo coast.

Defence counsel put it to Narine that a white Allion (licence plate PAK 1033) and three other Ministry of Home Affairs vehicles (PAC 2716, PAG 3188, and PAC 3139) were deployed to track Mohamed’s movements prior to his arrest.

Narine repeatedly answered that he could not recall or was unaware of the specific vehicles and locations, prompting defence counsel to accuse the special branch chief of “selective amnesia.” Narine denied knowledge of the specified license plates or causing those specific vehicles to monitor the opposition leader.

Questioning then turned to the events of October 31, 2025, the day Mohamed was taken into custody. Narine acknowledged that both Mohamed and his father were under special branch surveillance on that date.

Addressing how officers located Mohamed shortly after the arrest warrant was issued at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Narine testified that he did not physically check multiple locations himself, but made phone calls to ranks after learning a court matter involving Mohamed had been stood down.

“One of the ranks that I told to look for him observed him in that area,” Narine testified, explaining that a field officer spotted Mohamed on Smythe Street proceeding north. Narine stated that this phone call directly prompted him to leave the court premises and execute the arrest.

Narine denied or could not recall defence assertions that a heavily tinted silver Allion had been stationed outside Mohamed’s Houston, East Bank Demerara residence earlier that morning to track his movements directly to the court and Smythe Street.

The extradition proceedings continue before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Source: Kaieteur News

– ends extended GDF run

(Kaieteur News) – The Republican Gym’s return to competitive boxing ended in championship glory, as the prisoners captured the overall team title at the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) Andrew Lewis National Novices Championship, which concluded Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Republican Boxing Gym accumulated 32 points to finish as champion gym, interestingly edging the Guyana Police Force Boxing Gym, which finished runner-up on 25 points.

GBA president Steve Ninvalle hands over Championship Trophy Deputy Director of Prisons Kevin Pilgrim (standing fourth from left).

The victory ended decades of dominance by the Guyana Defence Force at the tournament. The army surprisingly did not participate.

The overall win marked a significant return to the amateur boxing scene for Republican Gym under veteran coach Wincell Thomas, whose fighters produced a series of strong performances throughout the three-day tournament, which ran from September 25–27.

Adding further distinction to Republican’s successful campaign, Ezekiel Gordon was named the tournament’s Best Boxer, while Thomas was rewarded for his coaching performance with the Best Coach award.

Ezeliel Gordon receives his best boxer trophy from former national champion Dexter Marques.

Gordon justified his individual honour with a composed and impressive run through the middleweight division.

He stopped Police boxer Elijah Burrows in the second round in their opening encounter before advancing by walkover against fellow Republican fighter Noah Beaton.

In the championship bout, Gordon, in the presence of prison top brass that included Director Nicklon Elliot and Deputy Director Kevin Pilgrim, produced perhaps his most significant performance of the tournament, defeating Police standout Shakeel Cox on points to claim the gold medal.

His success was emblematic of Republican’s overall showing, with the returning gym producing winners across several divisions.

Republican Coach Wincel ‘Naka B’ Thomas receives his Best Coach trophy from GBA president Steve Ninvalle (left).

Among the other Republican gold medallists were Mark Joseph, who stopped Jason Hardy in the second round at bantamweight; Rodwell Fraser, who scored a first-round victory over Police’s Sunil Parasram at lightweight; Helton Gibson, who defeated teammate Lerone Albert on points at welterweight; and Kennard Smith, who captured the light-middleweight crown after defeating Christian Joseph when the referee stopped the contest in the second round.

Republican also dominated several of the contests involving its own fighters, while its female boxers contributed valuable points.

Shania Benjamin defeated Debra Williams on points in the female light-heavyweight division, while Veronica Gordon earned a points victory over Oriomna Silva in the female super-heavyweight category.

The Police Force, meanwhile, produced a strong challenge and finished just seven points behind the champions.

Their gold-medal haul included victories from Shakeel Cox, Daquan Williams, Anthony Wills, Carl Ramsey and Colin Williams.

Cox was particularly active throughout the tournament. After stopping Jason George in the opening round of their middleweight bout, he advanced to the final against Gordon, where the Republican boxer secured the points decision.

The championship also featured a strong showing from the younger generation during the opening night, with fighters from Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym, New Amsterdam Boxing Academy, Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym and Pace and Power Gym battling for honours.

Republican Team

Harpy Eagles enjoyed success in the junior divisions, including victories from Natham Sugrim, Kayden Corlette and Ryan Cornette, while Andrew Lewis boxing gym boxers Imhotep Vanderstoop, Junior Madray and Josh Chester also captured titles.

Pace and Power’s Akeem Quintin took the victory in the U13 38–41kg division.

The competition brought together boxers from Andrew Lewis Gym, Pace and Power Gym, New Amsterdam Boxing Academy, Harpy Eagle Boxing Gym, Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym, Guyana Police Force Boxing Gym and Republican Boxing Gym, providing an important platform for emerging talent to gain competitive experience.

For Republican Gym, however, the championship carried significance beyond the medals and points.

The gym’s return to the ring was made possible through a collaboration involving the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Boxing Association, paving the way for prisoners to once again participate in organised boxing competition.

The initiative gave the returning Republican squad an opportunity to test itself against established boxing programmes while also demonstrating the potential of sport as a vehicle for discipline, rehabilitation and personal development.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Region Ten Scorpions (Men) and Paruima Football Club (Women) closed out Guyana’s Heritage Games sporting activities in style on Sunday, capturing the respective Men’s and Women’s football titles at the Everest ground in Georgetown.

Paruima Women delivered a commanding performance in the Women’s final, dismissing Matarkai Women 4-2 after two heated halves before Region Ten Scorpions staged a thrilling comeback victory to dethrone Region Six in the Men’s championship match.

Paruima Women’s team are the new Heritage Games Football champions following thrilling 4-2 encounter against Matarkai. (NCN photo)

In the Women’s final, Darlys Elliman and Xuxa Thomas provided the early spark as Paruima raced into a 3-0 lead before the break.

Elliman opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Thomas doubled the advantage in the 30th. Merlyn Percy then struck just a minute later to put the Region Seven side firmly in control at 3-0 heading into halftime.

Matarkai, however, refused to surrender without a fight.

Feona Benjamin and Veronica Chatta pulled two goals back early in the second half, reducing the deficit to one and briefly raising hopes of a dramatic turnaround.

Paruima quickly extinguished those hopes.

Region 10 Scorpions seal 2026 Heritage Games campaign with 3-1 victory.

Celita Bascon restored the two-goal cushion in the 68th minute, finding the back of the net to seal a 4-2 victory and send Paruima FC celebrating with the 2026 Heritage Games Women’s trophy.

The Men’s final produced an even more dramatic finish on Sunday, with Region Ten Scorpions overturning an early deficit to claim a 3-1 victory over Region Six.

Region Six appeared to have seized control when Sevede Squicel broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time, scoring in the 40+2 minute to give his side a 1-0 lead at the interval.

Goal Scorers: Captain Joel Yhap, Kymani Sealey and Aloysius Edwards mount spirited 3-1 comeback victory for Scorpions.

The Scorpions responded with purpose after the break.

Captain Joel Yhap restored parity in the 55th minute before Kymani Sealey completed the turnaround six minutes later, firing Region Ten into a 2-1 lead in the 61st.

With Region Six searching for a response, the Scorpions delivered the decisive blow in the 73rd minute.

Aloysius Edwards struck late to make it 3-1, effectively ending Region Six’s hopes of reclaiming the championship and completing a memorable comeback for Region Ten.

The final whistle confirmed Region Ten Scorpions as Men’s champions, while Paruima’s dominant display secured the Women’s crown, bringing the football component of the 2026 Heritage Games to a fitting close.

Source: Kaieteur News

https://kiskadeewatch.com/guyana/two-held-over-fatal-chopping-at-friendship-corentyne/