Inshan Ishmael on gun charges

STACY MOORE

Businessman and television talk show host Inshan Ishmael was granted $300,000 bail by a Justice of the Peace in the Chaguanas Magistrates Courts yesterday.

Ishmael, 49, was escorted into a prison van after the case was adjourned. He appeared before Justice Kanhai at about 3.08 pm in the First Court. Ishmael was charged that on April 2, at the ASJA compound in Charlieville he had in his possession a firearm with intent to endanger lives. A second charge was that on the same day and same place, Ishmael had in his possession ammunition with intent to endanger lives.

A third charge was that Ishmael committed common assault against Raffique Mohammed. Ishmael was represented by attorneys Keith Scotland, Arden Williams and Rajkavir Singh. In making an application for bail, Scotland said his client has a fixed place of abode at Bamboo Village.

He told the Justice of the Peace that the essence of his client’s life have been service to this country. Scotland said the arrest stemmed from malicious acts of political genres, which he (Scotland) thought were things of the past.

The attorney said his client has been a businessman for the past 30 years and is the owner of the IBN station for the past 12 years.

He said Ishmael has no previous convictions and is a community activist. The court also heard that Ishmael is a father of three. Court prosecutor Sgt Cleon John said he had no objection to bail being granted but said the address Ishmael produced to police, is a house under construction. Ishmael then indicated to the court that his house was currently under refurbishment and he was staying at another address.

Through his attorney, he supplied the court with another address at in Paille Gardens, Caroni. The case was adjourned to November 24.