University of Guyana student Sheliza “Dianne” Jaferally, was earlier today (Monday), remanded to prision after she was charged with the misuse of a telecommunication device.
The twenty-five-year-old sales consultant appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the charge which stated that on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, by means of a public telecommunications system, she caused anxiety to the students and staff of the University of Guyana by transmitting a false message knowing same to be false.
Defense Attorney, Latchmie Rahamat, in a bail submission for her client, told the court that her client had completely denied such allegations and intends to vigorously defend herself.
According to Chapter 71. (1) of the 2016 Telecommunications Act of Guyana: “A person who, by means of a telecommunications network or a telecommunications service, willfully circulates or otherwise transmits any telecommunication that is false, deceptive or misleading, or that materially endangers the physical safety of any other person, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars nor more than two million dollars and to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months.”
Rahamat also presented to the court a printed and stamped copy of a list of generated phone numbers that are similar to that of her client’s.
However, police prosecutor opposed bail being granted to the student on the grounds that she may tamper with witnesses as well as evidence that were generated during police investigations against Jaferally.
