In a significant legal development, Attorney at Law Tameika Clarke has been granted $700,000 in damages by the Supreme Court of Judicature for false imprisonment by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU).
The case stemmed from Clarke’s detainment by SOCU last year for advising her client to remain silent during attempts to take a statement.
Following the unjust detainment, Attorney General Anil Nandlall revealed that the state offered a settlement of $2 million, which was rejected by Clarke. In response, Clarke’s attorneys proposed a counteroffer of $50 million.
Chief Justice Roxanne George, presiding over the case, granted $700,000 in damages and urged the Guyana Police to incorporate issues like these in their training to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The Attorney General expressed regret over the incident, offering apologies to Clarke on behalf of the state, with the Guyana Police Force also issuing an apology.
This judgment serves as a notable legal precedent and emphasizes the importance of protecting individuals’ rights and freedoms, even in the context of law enforcement actions.