A former member of the Guyana Police Force was on Monday granted $400,000 bail after appearing in court on charges of money laundering and uttering a forged document with intent to defraud, involving a $17 million cheque.
Omari James, a 27-year-old labourer of Lot 1562, Farm Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to both charges before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
According to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), James allegedly presented and encashed a Bank of Guyana cheque for $17 million at Republic Bank’s Camp Street branch on August 20, 2025.
The cheque was drawn on the Maintenance Account of the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court and purportedly represented payment for rehabilitation works at the court.
SOCU alleged that James also presented a letter purportedly issued and signed by the Clerk of Court. The unit said its investigation found that the letter and the signature on the cheque were allegedly forged.
James reportedly received the full $17 million in cash.
During Monday’s hearing, SOCU Prosecutor Darin Chan objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offences, the substantial sum involved and the penalties prescribed by law.
However, Magistrate Azore granted James bail totalling $400,000 on the two charges.
James, who appeared without an attorney, is scheduled to return to court on November 16, 2026, for disclosure of the prosecution’s evidence.
