Family to file PCA complaint after Martins’ funeral

Head of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) Umar Abdullah yesterday told Newsday that he and relatives are hoping firstly to have a funeral service for Martins and then the complaint will be filed.

“We are trying to get back the body from Forensic Sciences Centre early enough to have the funeral. If not we will have to do it Tuesday. There are a lot of inconsistencies in the reports so an independent investigation must be done. The truth must be told,” Abdullah said.

He said he has spoken to PCA’s Director David West about the incident and promised to provide the authority with video footage of the shooting. Witnesses will also be made available to the PCA.

Police said Martins, a member of the Unruly ISIS gang (now referred to as the Masjid of Peace) of Enterprise, Chaguanas, opened fire on them at Caroni Savannah Road, shortly before 4 pm on Friday, while his close friends said police simply walked up to him and shot him.

Police said Martins was wanted for a series of offences, including murder and that he had gone to the automobile dealership to extort ‘tax’ from the owner. His friends said he went there to purchase a car.

Abdullah was yesterday of the belief that “a lot of mischief is taking place.” West said when the official complaint is made the PCA’s investigators would then review the information.

“It will go through the normal process. I cannot say how long the investigations would take. I do not know the complexity of the manner.

Evidence needs to be gathered and I do not have all the evidence right now,” West said.