Prominent attorney and Alliance for Change (AFC) leader Nigel Hughes has admitted to purchasing 50 acres of land on the left bank of the Essequibo River from a man without a lease.
The key question remains: Why didn’t our well-known lawyer, Nigel Hughes, verify the land’s lease before proceeding? Any competent lawyer would first confirm the land’s ownership.
During an AFC press conference, Hughes addressed allegations surrounding his acquisition of 75 acres of land following the APNU+AFC government’s loss of power due to the 2018 no-confidence motion. These claims were brought to light by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, who presented supporting documents at a press conference.
According to Dr Jagdeo, Hughes initially received permission to lease 25 acres of state land near Groete Creek’s mouth on October 24, 2019. During the disputed five-month period of the 2020 elections, Hughes secured two additional 25-acre leases. Official records indicate that one provisional lease for 25 acres was granted on March 19, 2020, followed by another within the same area.
Hughes countered these claims by stating that he started acquiring 50 acres in January 2016 from Simon Munroe, who he said had been farming on the land.
“Back in January 2016, a gentleman called Simon Munroe occupied and had been farming in that area. I entered into an agreement with him [on the] 28th of January 2016, and I purchased 50 acres of land from him on the left bank of the Essequibo River for the sum of $2 million,” Hughes explained.
He acknowledged that Munroe had no lease for the land at the time, but when asked how long Munroe had occupied it, Hughes responded: “I couldn’t say how long he was there. I certainly went and inspected and saw him occupying it.”
When questioned further about why Munroe did not have a lease, Hughes initially stated that Munroe was “frustrated” while waiting for it but then added: “If I recall correctly, he [Munroe] either wanted to migrate or some relative of his wanted to migrate and he needed the money.”
Additional Land Deals
Dr Jagdeo also highlighted Hughes’ involvement in land deals at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Earl’s Court, LBI. Before the 2020 elections, Hughes represented a Trinidadian company that secured 20 acres of prime land at Ogle for $26 million per acre
through the National Industrial & Commercial Investments Ltd. (NICIL).
Jagdeo accused Hughes of hypocrisy, pointing out that Hughes had criticized the PPP/C administration for selling land at Ogle for $30 million per acre despite his own involvement in a similar deal.
Regarding this transaction, Jagdeo stated: “This land was vested in them (the company) just before the elections. Hughes was not just the lawyer for the company, the company that signed the agreement; he was an officer of the company. He became a director in that company, then became company secretary to the company that secured the land at $10 million per acre.”
Additionally, Hughes’ company acquired 10 acres of land at Earl’s Court, LBI, for $10 million per acre, under the condition that a high-end apartment building would be constructed within four years. Although the company vested the land in January 2020, no development has occurred.
In response to these revelations, Jagdeo remarked: “You notice in everything that is controversial, he has his hands in it.”
Nigel Hughes should address his own personal issues before criticizing others for political motives.
Nigel Hughes should put “his own house in order” before he starts telling others what to do!
The truth came to light this time, and Nigel Hughes was caught.