Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has fiercely criticized Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Nigel Hughes for what he described as “reckless, irresponsible, and inflammatory” remarks regarding the recent fatal police shootings in Linden. Nandlall’s condemnation comes amid heightened public scrutiny and calls for accountability following the deaths of 21-year-old Ronaldo Peters and 32-year-old Keon Fogenay in separate police-involved incidents earlier this month.
Speaking during his “Issues in the News” programme, Nandlall accused Hughes of undermining due process and attempting to inflame public sentiment by urging families and the community to reject the ongoing police investigation. The probe, which is being conducted by the Guyana Police Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility with support from the Regional Security System (RSS), has already resulted in the case file being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for review.
Nandlall argued that Hughes, himself an attorney, should understand the necessity of proper investigative procedures. “In a civilized society, an investigation must be done and that investigation requires due process to be extended to both the victims as well as the villains, and eyewitnesses are also required to be interviewed so important and necessary bits and pieces of evidence is accumulated. There is no other process in the civilized world,” Nandlall stated.
He further accused Hughes of sowing mistrust in state institutions, referencing Hughes’ public statements that the Guyana Police Force and the RSS could not be trusted to investigate the shootings. “Nigel Hughes is telling people to disregard the Guyana Police Force, to disregard the RSS-a regional law enforcement body. Who does he want to investigate these matters, then? Foreign experts flown in by himself?” Nandlall questioned.
Nandlall also addressed Hughes’ calls for compensation for the victims’ families, clarifying that while the government is not ruling out compensation, any such decision must follow a thorough and orderly investigation. He emphasized that the government has acted responsibly, with President Irfaan Ali meeting with the families and assuring them that a professional, independent investigation would be conducted.
The Attorney General concluded by questioning Hughes’ suitability for public leadership, asserting that his rhetoric was not only misguided but potentially dangerous. “He cannot be anywhere close to a government…He doesn’t have the sense of maturity and he doesn’t have the presence of mind,” Nandlall said.
The Linden shootings and subsequent political fallout have reignited debate over police accountability, the role of independent investigations, and the need for reforms in the wake of repeated incidents of fatal force. As investigations continue, both government and opposition figures remain at odds over the path to justice and public trust.
