Kamla: Put THA whistle-blower into witness protection

OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is demanding that the State put Akil Abdullah into witness protection following allegations contained in a newspaper story of attempts being made on Abdullah's life.

Abdullah is embroiled in a controversy involving the Prime Minister, Tobago PNM leader Ancil Dennis, Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher and other senior TTPS officials.

These allegations were first raised publicly by THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine during an emergency sitting of the assembly last week. At the sitting, Augustine played recorded conversations as he made certain allegations against Dr Rowley, the top cop, and others.

Augustine claimed efforts were being made by both politicians and the police to undermine and discredit the THA and its executive council.

This prompted Rowley to fire back accusations of his own as he questioned if rules and protocols governing the Assembly were broken. The PM also raised the spectre of witness-tampering and abuse of process. He also promised to get legal advice on the lawfulness of that particular special sitting of the THA.

But in a statement on Tuesday, Persad-Bissessar sought to highlight the seriousness of the situation saying, "If the attempt to murder active police witness Akil Abdullah is true, he must be brought into witness protection immediately."

She was referring to the newspaper article published on Monday in which a claim was made that gunmen had attempted to kill Abdullah on Sunday night.

However, when contacted for comment shortly after Persad-Bissessar made her call, ACP (Tobago) Collis Hazel denied that any report was made to any police station in Tobago about any attempted murder.

“That is not true. And there is no report or any report like that ever took place. No police officer, no station can confirm this happened or that a report was made,” ACP Hazel said.

He added that he had no information regarding whether Abdullah was currently receiving or will receive police protection. Questioned about Abdullah's safety, Hazel reiterated that he could not confirm any details regarding Abdullah's situation.

When contacted by Newsday, Abdullah appeared surprised when told about the newspaper article and the subsequent calls made by Persad-Bissessar. He asked Newsday: “You from Express? I have no comment.”

Abdullah repeatedly refused to comment on the matter or respond to any other questions regarding any death threats or police reports. He then ended the call.

During the emergency plenary sitting on July 19, Augustine played three clips in which the voice of a man – whom the Chief Secretary identified as Abdullah – heard confessing to a plot involving politicians and the police to attack members of the THA executive.

Augustine admitted that he recorded the video secretly, saying this was done to protect himself. He said the plot was linked to recent searches of his official residence, the home of the deputy chief secretary and the home of a THA former chief administrator.

Police confirmed these searches were part of an ongoing investigation into a leaked audio recording of THA officials discussing the possibility of using public funds for political propaganda.

In the release, Persad-Bissessar raised concerns over uncertainty surrounding Abdullah's safety and the potential risks he may face as these investigations continue.

She also highlighted several previous incidents which she claimed raised questions about the safety of witnesses and individuals who have exposed corruption.

She called on the TTPS and the Director of Public Prosecutions to take immediate action including bringing Abdullah into witness protection and examining the audio clips played by Augustine during the emergency plenary sitting.

She also urged the Police Complaints Authority and the Police Service Commission to resist political influence and stand up for the preservation of democratic values. She described recent events as evidence of a move towards a police state and dictatorship.

According to a police source, speaking on the basis of anonymity, in order to be eligible for entering the witness protection program, an individual must have either witnessed a serious crime or is providing vital evidence in an investigation where such co-operation could jeopardise their safety.

Once it is determined that these risks are indeed life-threatening, then these eyewitnesses are placed under police protection.

Attempts on Tuesday to reach Augustine, DCP (Intelligence and Investigations) Curt Simon and Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher for comment, were all unsuccessful.