GUYANA - Thirty-one-year-old Arinze Reginald Odunze, a Nigerian national, was charged last Friday for conspiring to commit a felony and uttering forged documents.
Odunze was arrested on March 19, 2025 at the Central Immigration and Passport Office on Camp Street, Georgetown. He was charged with uttering a forged document, Contrary to Section 245 (b) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 08:01- specifically, one forged Ministry of Home Affairs Work Permit/Extension of Stay Letter, Reference number OVL 1500/2024, to Woman Constable De Noberga at Central Immigration and Passport Office.
He was also charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 08:01. This charge relates to the same Ministry of Home Affairs Work Permit/Extension of Stay Letter (Reference Number OVL 1500/2024), which was falsely represented as having been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration Support Services. Odunze appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Annette Singh. The charge was read to him and he pleaded not guilty. Odunze was remanded and the matter was adjourned to April 11, 2025. According to police reports, on November 25, 2024, Odunze arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and presented himself to Woman Sergeant Abrams, along with his Nigerian passport and a photocopy of a Ministry of Home Affairs Employment Visa on Arrival Letter, purportedly issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He was granted three months, ending on February 24, 2025. However, it was later discovered that the Ministry of Home Affairs Employment Visa on Arrival Letter Odunze presented was forged. Moreover, on March 19, 2025, Odunze presented himself at the Central Immigration and Passport Office with a Ministry of Home Affairs Work Permit/Extension of Stay Letter along with his Nigerian Passport for the extension to be endorsed in his passport. It was discovered to be forged and a report was made. Odunze was arrested and later charged and placed before the court. (Kaieteur News)