Augustine yet to file police misconduct complaint: THA whistle-blower still mum

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has not filed any complaints regarding the misconduct of police officers in Tobago, according to both the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and the TTPS Professional Standards Bureau.

During a THA special plenary sitting on Wednesday morning, Augustine played three secretly-recorded videos he had made of activist Akil Abdullah, who claimed that he, along with the Prime Minister, Tobago PNM Council leader Ancil Dennis and senior police officers were part of a conspiracy to disrupt the THA executive.

At the end of his presentation Augustine said, “I have since given my attorney instructions to write to the Commissioner of Police (CoP), the director of the Police Complaints Authority the President of the Republic, the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) and all other agencies responsible for carrying out justice in the country.

“That letter has already been drafted and it says, ‘Firstly, please be advised that my client has in his possession, evidence which has covered the subject of and also protected by legal privileges. That statement given to the police used in the procurement of these warrants were obtained through bribery, improper political influence, corruption, police misbehaviour and police misconduct.'"

He continued to read, “'It is also noteworthy that the purported criminal investigation being conducted by the police has been the subject of commentary by political opponents of my client and high-ranking police officers...’"

He was referring to searches carried out at his home on Tuesday, and other searches at the homes of Deputy Chief Secretary Dr Faith B Yisrael and a former chief administrator last weekend. Augustine said, "There is prosecution and then there is persecution" describing the search of homes of THA officials as persecution.

He said the letter would be delivered to the CoP that day. But up to Saturday police officials said the letter had not been sent. Attempts by Sunday Newsday to reach Augustine up to press time to confirm this were unsuccessful.

In contrast, during a media briefing at the Diplomatic Centre on Thursday, the Prime Minister accused Augustine of witness tampering, referring to his (Augustine's) engagement with Abdullah, who allegedly admitted to working closely on investigations into the THA audio propaganda probe in a recording released by Augustine on Wednesday. Rowley too called on the police to investigate and vowed to do all in his power to clear his name.

PCA director David West confirmed to Sunday Newsday that while he is aware of Augustine's intention to file a complaint, no complaint has been received this week or in the past relating to this or any other issue.

Similarly, Snr Supt Suzette Martin, head of the TTPS Professional Standards Bureau, said her office has not received any letter or complaints from the THA.

Meanwhile, Abdullah is yet to break his silence on the matter.

When contacted on Saturday, an annoyed Abdullah told Sunday Newsday, “What did I tell you? I have no comment.”

Asked if he had received death threats or is fearful for his life, he replied, “I have no comment at this time.”