PNCR loses court battle to take over State-owned Lethem building

The High Court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) against the Attorney General (AG) and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), over the removal of the party from a building in Lethem that had served as its regional headquarters for decades. Based on court documents, the defendants contended that the property is State property and the PNCR was occupying the building without permission from the State. After being served with notices to vacate by the Regional Executive Officer (REO), the party filed the case. In a judgment delivered on August 24, however, the Court ruled in favour of the defendants, finding that the PNCR had no legal right to remain on the property and that its removal did not amount to trespass or a violation of its constitutional rights. The case arose after the PNCR was removed from the Government building, located opposite Boston Street in Lethem, Central Rupununi, in March of 2023. The political party alleged that REO Karl Singh and a contractor Dale Kennedy, accompanied by members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had entered the building without permission, demolished parts of the structure, removed goods belonging to the party, and blocked its return.

In its application to the court, the PNCR sought declarations that its constitutional rights had been violated, along with damages for trespass and conversion of its property, and an injunction preventing the defendants from re-entering the premises. But the defendants argued that the building was State property under the control of the RDC, and that the PNCR had only ever occupied it as a licensee, rather than an owner or tenant. They further contended that the party had been repeatedly asked to leave before officials moved to reclaim the building. After hearing evidence from witnesses on both sides, the Court found that the land and building belonged to the State and were vested in the RDC. In fact, the court noted that PNCR could not produce any lease, title document, or other proof of ownership. The Court found that the party’s decades-long occupation began in the 1970s and that its presence there was best understood as permission granted by the State rather than a legal right to the property.

Moreover, the Court further determined that the RDC had given the PNCR ample notice to vacate, starting in November 2021 and repeated several times before a final deadline in January 2023, before officials acted in March 2023.