The former minister of Home Affairs (BIZA), Bronto Somohardjo, has often asked President Chandrikapersad Santokhi how the investigation that is being carried out at BIZA by the Central Audit Division (CLAD) is going and if he could read the report but his request still has not been granted. “I have thought long and hard because of the statements made by President Santokhi and the minister of Finance and Planning. I have come to believe that Santokhi is possibly misusing the name of the attorney general (AG) for personal gain. At the meeting that I had with the president on October 16th, he told me that the CLAD had presented a preliminary report within 3 days. He had also told me that the preliminary report was for his eyes and those of the Finance minister only. But he also indicated that AG Garcia Paragsingh insisted that he had to hand over the report. Now I wonder if the AG had actually asked to be given the report or if the president had lied again. I also wonder if he wanted to give her the report to incriminate me and to take me out of the political game,” said Bronto who added that he was shocked to hear the president’s statements.

Bronto Somohardjo pointed out that the CLAD had not found anything which is why he is puzzled by the fact that the investigation is ongoing. He has sent a letter to the president, demanding that his name be cleared. “I have hired several lawyers and a forensics accountant to fight these accusations.”