City businessman faces life imprisonment for treason felony

A city businessman, who allegedly incited people to commit a treason felony, could face life imprisonment if he is convicted for the offence.

Thirty-nine-year-old Randy Jagdeo of Lot 159 Third Street, Alexander Village appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Mr Jagdeo is accused of inciting persons to commit treason, contrary to Section 314 of the Criminal Law Offences Act, Chapter 8:01.

Under that section, anyone who forms an intention to levy war within Guyana in order to depose the President or any Cabinet member by force, or by force or constraint compels the Guyana government to change its measures or counsels or in order to put any force or constraint upon it in order to intimidate or overawe the National Assembly, or induce any alien with force to invade Guyana and manifests such intention by any overt act shall be guilty of a felony and liable to imprisonment for life.

Despite an objection by the prosecution, the accused was granted GY$350,000 bail with the condition that he reports on the third Friday of every month to the Head of the Police Cyber Crimes Unit at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

He was also required to lodge his passport at the court.

The Magistrate also ordered him to cease making any posts on social media platforms.

The matter was adjourned to 16 June 2025.

The Guyana Police Force noted that the controversial businessman has received wide public criticism over a provocative Facebook comment which stated that Essequibo belongs to Venezuela, a grossly misleading sentiment given the fact that Essequibo belongs to Guyana.

Also, the police force noted a sign displayed at his ‘Thousand Dollar Store’ on the East Bank of Demerara, featured the ‘One Guyana’ logo alongside a map of Guyana that excluded the Essequibo region.