Opposition MP warns pattern of early public pronouncements risks shaping investigative outcomes
The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has accused government officials of compromising ongoing police investigations through a pattern of premature public statements, warning that the practice is eroding public confidence in the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Speaking at the party’s weekly press conference on Friday, Member of Parliament Dr. Dexter Todd described the trend as deeply troubling, pointing to what he characterised as a growing frequency of political figures pronouncing on active matters before investigations are concluded.
“It seems to be a little more worrying now, the frequency in which we are seeing early premature pronouncements by political members from the government,” Todd said, adding that such interventions risk shaping investigative outcomes. “So all the investigations, once there is certain pronouncements, the investigation goes on to bring into conformity what they have said, and that is very, very, very worrying,” he stressed.
The opposition MP referenced the case of Adriana Younge, pointing to statements made by President Irfaan Ali following the child’s independent autopsy in April 2025. The President had disclosed that due to the state of decomposition, pathologists were unable to determine an exact time of death and had ruled out theories of forcible drowning or disposal in water. However, attorney Darren Wade, who witnessed the post-mortem, later stated that the findings indicated the child died by drowning, though no determination was made regarding where the drowning occurred. Todd argued that such early disclosures by senior government officials risk influencing the direction of investigations.
The opposition also cited the case of 30-year-old Otis Payne, who died while in police custody on March 24, 2025. Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond had publicly rejected claims by Payne’s family that he was beaten by police, stating that available video footage did not support allegations of brutality. However, Payne’s mother, Amanda Kato, who witnessed the post-mortem examination, disputed that conclusion, describing her son’s body as deeply disturbing and suggestive of physical violence.
Dr. Todd criticised the minister’s remarks as another instance of premature commentary, arguing that such statements place undue pressure on investigators. He questioned whether eyewitness accounts in the Payne case had been properly recorded and considered, noting there has been little public update from the police on the status of that investigation.
“I am sure that even where the police have completed an investigation, even if they were to come up with facts supporting a contradiction of what the minister said, that is going to be swept under the carpet,” Todd asserted.
The MP said the broader issue reflects a failure at the policy level, with the government not taking sufficient steps to address allegations of police excesses or inadequate investigations. He maintained that the role of the Minister of Home Affairs should be to support the GPF through strong policy direction aimed at restoring public trust, rather than making public statements that could compromise the integrity of ongoing probes.
Todd warned that unless the pattern is addressed, it risks further undermining confidence in a Police Force mandated to serve and protect the public.
