Trevor Benn, the former Head of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), was today charged with other misconduct in a public office charge when he made yet another court appearance at Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Benn was not required to plead and was released on $ 100,000 bail.
He was charged with selling two parcels of land known as Plot A Mandela Avenue and Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt.
According to reports, the parcels of land containing 0.710 and 0.887 acres respectively were sold to businessman Wilfred Brandford for a total of $ 13.5 million.
However, a review of the transaction and similar transactions revealed that parcels of similar land in the same vicinity had been sold by the Government of Guyana for as much as $ 150 million.
In addition, Brandford was a member of the Board of GL&SC under the administration of A Partnership for Unity / Alliance for Change (APNU / AFC).
Benn was previously released on $ 200,000 bail on misconduct in public office charges in connection with the leasing of some six acres of unmarked lands in Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), for which about $ 27 million has been paid.
In an interview following his initial arrest, Benn maintained his innocence, calling the accusation against him nonsensical.
“I’ve worked all my life with international organizations and in many countries around the world, and I’ve never faced this. I do not understand how you can bring pay that speaks to a man who helps the Government, bringing resources [and] revenue to Government, and you charge it for bringing revenue to Government. It’s a nonsensical charge, ”he reiterated.