A man who was wrongly accused of abducting a missing child has filed a lawsuit against the State, claiming over $100 million in damages and multiple constitutional breaches after being detained by the police in what he describes as a humiliating and unjustified arrest.
Deon Mario Jeffrey, represented by Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade, is expected to file the Fixed Date Application in the High Court on Wednesday.
According to the documents, the case stems from the disappearance of 11-year-old Adriana Younge on April 23 at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. The Guyana Police Force initially stated that the missing child had been seen leaving the hotel in a red Toyota Raum bearing registration number PSS 4684.
Jeffrey, who had rented the vehicle in question from Sheif Jamel Mohamad Yusuf, was arrested the following morning while travelling on the West Bank Demerara. He was intercepted at the Demerara Harbour Bridge at approximately 6:15 hrs and subsequently taken into custody at the La Grange Police Station.
In his affidavit, Jeffrey said he was held until around 18:30 hrs the same day and was later released without charge. The Police Force later issued a second statement acknowledging that its earlier press release linking the vehicle to the abduction was made in error.
The police said a civilian working within the regional command centre was the source of inaccurate information that was included in an initial police report following the disappearance of Younge.
Despite the clarification, Mr Jeffrey claims the damage was already done. He alleges that as a direct result of the arrest and media reports, he lost two construction contracts — one valued at $500,000 for drainage works in La Parfaite Harmonie, and another worth $275,000 for interior works at the Schoonord Housing Scheme. The clients, he said, withdrew their offers due to concerns about his alleged involvement in a criminal matter.
In his application, Mr Jeffrey argues that the arrest and detention constituted a breach of his constitutional rights, including:
The right to equal protection under the law (Article 149D)
The right to liberty (Article 139)
The right to freedom of movement (Article 148)
He is seeking the following reliefs from the court:
Declarations of constitutional breaches
General damages in excess of $100 million for wrongful detention
Exemplary and aggravated damages
Any further orders deemed just by the court
The matter will be heard before a judge on a date yet to be confirmed.
Wade, who confirmed the filing, stated that the case highlights a critical need for accountability in police operations, especially when reputational harm and economic loss can follow an arrest made without sufficient investigation.
When contacted, Attorney General Anil Nandlall said the lawsuit seemed a “publicity gimmick,” stating that the proceedings are yet to be officially served to his office.
Nandlall noted that while the matter has appeared in the press, “it has not yet reached the Attorney General’s chambers.”
“When the proceedings are officially served and examined, we will be in a position to comment,” the AG added.
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