GEORGETOWN, Guyana – President Donald Ramotar has accepted the resignation of embattled Police Commissioner Henry Greene four months after he had been accused of raping a 34-year-old mother.
A government statement said Greene offered to retire as police commissioner effective April 19 and that “His Excellency, Donald Ramotar, President of the Republic of Guyana, has accepted his offer with immediate effect”.
The un-named woman last December accused Greene, whom she had gone to for help on November 15, of raping her at a hotel on November 22. She said Greene held her at gunpoint and forced her to have sexual intercourse with him.
But Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang on March 30 ruled in his favour noting that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in her submission failed to examine thoroughly the credibility and reliability of the alleged victim. He ruled that the establishment of a prima facie case was not sufficient to make out a case of rape.
“The DPP’s case is based on no more than a prima facie case,” the Acting Chief Justice said, describing the DPP’s advice as “irrational”.
He said the DPP’s advice was “irrational, unreasonable, unfair, unlawful, unconstitutional, null, void and of no legal effect”.
Justice Chang said from all indications, Greene and the woman were lovers. The ruling was condemned by the opposition political parties including A Partnership for National Unity (APNU); the Alliance For Change (AFC) as well as women’s groups.
The groups had called on government to sack Greene or for him to do the “honourable thing” and resign. Greene took over as police commissioner in July 2006. (CMC)
