Warrant out for Williams

That action came after Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson issued instructions late Friday for seven charges to be laid against the Minister.

When arrested, Williams, the Member of Parliament for Port-of-Spain South, will be the second from the Patrick Manning Administration to be charged with fraud. Last November, former Works Minister Franklin Khan was charged with six counts of corruption arising out of the Dansam Dhansook bribery scandal. Khan is currently out on $250,000 bail.

There were reports yesterday that Williams was going to give himself up to the police at the Fraud Squad offices. However, up to late yesterday there were no such developments and informed sources said it was more likely that he would surrender tomorrow.

The Minister is to be represented in the matter by attorneys Ravi Rajcoomar and Senior Counsel Desmond Allum, sources said.

According to reports, JP Khan was summoned to the Fraud Squad offices about noon yesterday to sign the warrant, which was obtained by Supt Glenroy Woodley. When Khan was approached by reporters as he left the building about 4 pm, he said he could not give details on the matter apart from the fact that seven charges are to be laid against the Minister and if he surrenders he could be granted bail of $350,000.

"He is not yet in custody," was all Khan would say when asked whether Williams had in fact been arrested and was detained at the Fraud Squad building.

However, other well placed sources told Sunday Newsday that immediately after the warrant documents were signed, police went out in search of Williams. If he is arrested or surrenders anytime this weekend, Williams will be taken before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate tomorrow.

Late yesterday, the United National Congress (UNC) issued a call for Williams’ resignation as Minister of Energy. Speaking on behalf of the party, Opposition Senator Wade Mark said the UNC "strongly urges" Williams to follow the precedent set by his former Cabinet colleague Franklin Khan and resign.

If he fails to do so, Mark warned, the UNC will table a motion of no confidence in Williams to force him to resign.

This latest development comes after the arrest in late November of Franklin Khan, former Minister of Works, who then held the post of Chairman of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM).

Khan, the Member of Parliament for Ortoire/Mayaro, surrendered to Fraud Squad police officers on November 23, shortly after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was subsequently granted $250,000 bail on six charges.

Khan, who resigned as PNM Chairman shortly after his arrest, is accused of accepting bribes from PNM Local Government Councillor Dansam Dhansook in exchange for contracts to supply labour, security and transportation to Terra Seis Trinidad Limited, a company engaged in seismic surveys for a major petroleum project.

That case is currently pending before a San Fernando magistrate.