Carvil Duncan suspended from Constitutional Commissions

Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), fraud accused, Carvil Duncan has been suspended by President David Granger on Monday, October 10, 2016, pending the outcome of an ongoing tribunal.

The tribunal is investigating whether Mr. Duncan ought to be removed from office for inability to discharge his duties. The Tribunal is being led by Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire, while Justice (ret’d) Winston Patterson, and Attorney-at-Law, Robert Ramcharran are serving members. It is expected to render its report, findings and recommendations to the President on or before October 31, 2016.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, the President acted in accordance with Article 225 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana.

The Head of State informed Mr. Duncan that in addition to his role as PSC Chairman, he is also suspended from performing the Constitutional functions as ex-officio member of the Judicial Service Commission, the Police Service Commission and other functions as ex-officio member of the Commissions of the Board of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The constitution provides the President the authority to revoke this suspension if the tribunal recommends to the President that the officer should not be removed from office.

On Saturday, October 12, 2016, Duncan released a statement in which he indicated that the President asked him to resign as Chairman of the PSC which would automatically be followed by his resignation from the Judicial Service Commission and the Police Service Commission.  He added that he was further offered a financial package that would accompany his resignation.

However, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has categorically denied the assertion noting that it is undesirable for someone who is facing criminal charges to hold those positions.

Mr. Duncan is currently before the court on fraud charges after it was discovered by auditors that he paid himself approximately $1M and allegedly conspired with Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Power and Light, Mr. Aeshwar Deonarine, for an unapproved transfer of approximately $27M into the latter’s personal account.