Businessman Freeman Fordyce, 47, was on Thursday granted bail by High Court Judge, Madam Demone Younge, after Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman had earlier refused to grant him bail on firearm and ammunition charges.
Fordyce first appeared before the Diamond Magistrate’s Court on Friday, September 19, 2025, where he was arraigned on two charges: possession of a firearm without a licence and possession of ammunition without a licence, contrary to the Firearms Act. The charges stemmed from a police search conducted on September 16, 2025, at his Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara residence, where lawmen reportedly discovered a black Walther PPX pistol and five live 9mm rounds in a vehicle parked outside.
Fordyce pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared before Magistrate Latchman. However, bail was refused and the matter was transferred to Court Three of the Diamond Magistrate’s Court for report and possible disclosure.
His niece, Precious Thomas, moved to the High Court for judicial review of the Magistrate’s decision, through Attorney-at-Law Bernard Da Silva. The application argued that the lower court failed to consider the defense’s contention that the vehicle in which the firearm and ammunition were found was primarily used by one of Fordyce’s employees, and that the businessman was outside of the car at the time of the search. The defense also noted that the vehicle had electrical issues and was not secured by locks.
In her application, Thomas highlighted that Fordyce is a father of ten, the sole breadwinner for his family, a businessman with multiple ventures including pawn brokery, construction and entertainment, and has no prior convictions. She maintained that he is not a flight risk and was prepared to comply with any conditions of bail imposed by the court.
Justice Younge, having reviewed the application, granted bail on both charges in the sum of $125,000 each.
The matter remains before the Magistrate’s Court for continuation.
