The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has instituted criminal charges against Omari James, a 27-year-old labourer and former member of the Guyana Police Force, of Lot 1562, Farm Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, for the offences of Money Laundering and Uttering a Forged Document with Intent to Defraud.
Investigations revealed that on August 20, 2025, James visited the Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Camp Street Branch, where he presented a Bank of Guyana cheque in the sum of GY$17,000,000, drawn on the Maintenance Account of the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court. The cheque purported to represent payment for rehabilitation works allegedly carried out at the Court. James encashed the cheque and received GY$17,000,000 in cash.
He also presented an official letter purportedly issued and signed by the Clerk of Court. Investigations subsequently revealed that the letter and signature appearing on the cheque were allegedly forged. Consequently, he was charged with Money Laundering, contrary to Section 3(1)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, Chapter 10:11, and Uttering a Forged Document with Intent to Defraud, contrary to Section 277 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.
On Monday, October 26, 2026, James appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where both charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The prosecution objected to bail, citing the serious nature of the offences, the substantial sum involved, and the penalties prescribed by law. Notwithstanding the prosecution’s objections, James was granted bail in the total sum of GY$400,000 for both charges.
The matter was adjourned to November 16, 2026, for disclosure of the prosecution’s evidence.
SOCU was represented by Prosecutor Darin Chan, Attorney-at-Law, while James appeared unrepresented.
Meanwhile, SOCU has instituted two criminal charges against Rocquel Charter, a Legal Clerk II attached to the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court, East Bank Demerara, for the offences of Forgery of a Negotiable Instrument and Forgery of a Document with Intent to Defraud.
Investigations revealed that between August 18 and 20, 2025, Charter allegedly forged a Bank of Guyana cheque in the sum of GY$17,000,000, drawn on the Maintenance Account of the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court and made payable to Omari James, by falsely signing the signature of the Clerk of Court, an authorised signatory to the account.
Charter is also accused of forging a letter purportedly issued and signed by the Clerk of Court, falsely authorising the payment of GY$17 million to James for rehabilitation works allegedly carried out at the Court.
Consequently, Charter was charged with Forgery of a Negotiable Instrument, contrary to Section 256, and Forgery of a Document with Intent to Defraud, contrary to Section 277 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.
On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Charter appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at Court No. 1 of the Diamond Magistrates’ Court, where both charges were read to her. She pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Her Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Ronald Daniels, applied for bail. However, the prosecution, represented by Prosecutor Darin Chan, Attorney-at-Law, objected, citing the serious nature of the offences, the penalties prescribed upon conviction, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged forgery of official court documents involving GY$17 million.
Notwithstanding the prosecution’s objections, Charter was granted bail in the sum of GY$500,000, subject to several conditions imposed by the Court.
The matter was adjourned to November 30, 2026, for disclosure of the prosecution’s evidence.
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