Some witnesses to be recalled in Petrojam fraud trial

SOME WITNESSES in the ongoing Petrojam fraud trial will be recalled for questioning by the defence next year January, when the trial resumes, following an amendment to the indictment.

Former Petrojam General Manager Floyd Grindley and former board chair Dr Perceval Singh are being tried in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on fraud charges in relation to alleged fraudulent claims for overseas travel allowances amounting to more than US$70,000.

Singh is alleged to have submitted claims between November 2016 and July 2018 for overseas travel he did not make, while allegedly being aided and abetted by Grindley.

Singh is facing 13 counts of fraudulent conversion while Grindley is facing 13 counts of aiding and abetting.

Presiding Parish Court Judge Maxine Ellis yesterday ruled in favour of an application made by the prosecution to amend the indictment.

The application was made to reflect changes to five counts of fraudulent conversion regarding the substitution of the words entrusted to claim by in relation to the funds that were allegedly claimed by Dr Singh from Petrojam.

The defence had argued against the amendment, claiming that it was unfair and prejudicial to their clients and would delay the trial and significantly affect the defence’s case.

However, the judge, in granting the prosecution permission, said she was duty-bound to follow the court’s direction using the guidance of previous precedence, given the nature of the amendment that is being sought.

At the same time, she said it may be necessary for witnesses to be recalled by the defence and, in the circumstances, the defence would need to indicate who those witnesses are.

Following the application, the defence team requested an adjournment to consult with their clients and to make a decision on the witnesses who are to be recalled.

Consequently, a new date was set for the continuation of the trial in January for three weeks.

Apart from the cross-examination of the witnesses, the judge is also expected to hear arguments and responses in relation to the defence’s no-case submission in January.

The trial which resumed last week Monday was scheduled to continue until Friday.

In the meantime, the prosecution last week Tuesday offered no further evidence on a count each against both accused.

The count in question was in relation to an alleged claim for US$298 that was made by Dr Singh for a business trip to Canada and allegedly aided and abetted by Grindley.

However, the prosecution offered no evidence on the counts on the basis that the company had not paid out the claim.

King’s Counsel K.D. Knight and Bianca Samuels are representing Grindley, while attorneys-at-law Bert Samuels and Matthew Hyatt are representing Singh.