GUYANA: Minister resigns after authorities drop rape case

President of Guyana,  Dr Irfaan Ali has announced the resignation of Local Government minister Nigel Dharamlall has resigned as a Member of Parliament and Cabinet member.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 4 as comes as a final development in the rape allegations saga which first came to light last month.

Dharamlall was charged with the rape of a 16-year-old schoolgirl and granted bail in the sum of GYD $1 million. He maintained his innocence of the charge and shortly after, requested to be placed on administrative leave on June 17.

On Tuesday,the Guyana Police Force issued a released which stated that the case file in relation to the allegation of rape made against Minister Nigel Dharamlal was sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), based on advise for further investigations to be conducted.

The DPP said the fact that the complainant gave a further statement to investigators stating that she wished to withdraw her complaint against Minister Dharamlall and also that her decision was not influenced by anyone and that same was in her best interest.

The DPP concluded that in the absence of the victim’s complaint, there is no legal provision for the Police to proceed with the matter.

A statement from President Ali said:

“From the inception, I advised the population that I would allow the system to work. I would never and the government would never intervene in the system. We’ve allowed an independent investigation; the minister proceeded on leave to ensure that an independent investigation was conducted.

The Police did their investigation and also all the other agencies, including the DPP.

This evening, you’ve seen the statement from the DPP in which she has advised that she will not proceed on any charges against the minister based on all that is before her.

However, Minister Dharamall has advised that he will tender his resignation as the interest of the government is important to him and he will not want anyone to bring the government into disrepute.

He has also advised that these allegations have affected him personally and as such, he has offered to resign as minister and as a Member of Parliament.”