Elderly property owners need protection from land fraud

March 4, 2026·3 min read

Dear Editor,

The case involving Chandrawattie “Daata” Mahabir, as reported in the media of recently,^[1] illustrates the serious risks posed by the misuse of irrevocable Powers of Attorney (POAs) and questionable agreements of sale. If the allegations are proven, this would represent another example of elder financial abuse in Guyana — a matter that demands urgent national attention.

Across Guyana, rising land values have heightened the temptation for exploitation. Common tactics reportedly include:

Misleading elders about the true nature of legal documents
Obtaining signatures on blank or partially completed pages
Securing sweeping or “irrevocable” Powers of Attorney
Fabricating debts to justify property transfers
Exploiting illness or hospitalisation to pressure elders into signing or affixing thumbprints

The Attorney General Mr. Anil Nandalal must step in and stop this theft of property.^[2] An irrevocable POA, if improperly obtained, can effectively place control of all movable and immovable property into another person’s hands. Such powerful legal instruments should be subject to stricter safeguards.

Consideration should be given to requiring mandatory, independent legal advice (possible state-facilitated for all pensioners) before any irrevocable POA affecting a pensioner’s property can be registered.

Stronger legislative protections are needed to ensure that elderly citizens are not divested of lifelong assets without clear, informed, and voluntary consent.

In the meantime, pensioners and their families should consider the following precautions while we wait on Mr. Nandalal since it might take years for him to wake up:

Never Sign Without Independent Legal Advice

Seek truly independent advice from a lawyer of your own choosing.
Do not rely solely on a lawyer introduced by the party requesting the signature.
Insist that every document be read aloud and explained in plain language to you.

Exercise Extreme Caution with Powers of Attorney

If a POA is necessary, limit it carefully.
Specify precisely which property it covers.
Set a clear and reasonable expiration date and not longer than one year.
Include express provisions for revocation that give the pensioner ultimate control.
Retain certified copies of all signed documents.

Protect Signatures and Thumbprints

Never sign blank pages.
Do not permit unnecessary photographing or copying of identification documents and signatures.
If hospitalised, request that a neutral witness, like the nurse or the doctor be present at all times and that all documents be clearly explained to all the witnesses before signing.

Maintain Proper Estate Planning

Ensure wills are professionally drafted and periodically updated.
Store original documents securely.
Inform at least one trusted such as a church elder outside of your circle of family, independent individual where the originals are kept.

Report Suspicious Activity Immediately

Involve Neutral Third Parties

Trusted community leaders, clergy, or independent witnesses can help oversee significant transactions.

Elderly land fraud is not a mere family disagreement; it is a serious criminal matter involving forgery, fraud, abuse of trust, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. As land values continue to rise in Guyana, such cases may increase unless public awareness improves, legal safeguards are strengthened, and authorities treat elder financial abuse with the urgency it deserves.

Professional bodies such as the Guyana Bar Association^[5] and the Association of Chartered Accountants in Guyana^[6], also have a role to play. They are both slacking in their public education campaign. Greater public education initiatives — including accessible pamphlets, community outreach, and simplified guides to common legal instruments — would be a valuable contribution to safeguarding pensioners. Protecting the elderly from financial exploitation should be regarded not only as a legal responsibility, but as a moral one.

Once upon a time a lawyer called Jamela Ali did an excellent project called the Law and You that helped people. That project has to restart.

Sincerely,
Khemraj Harryram

References

New Book By Hindu Women’s Organisation Founder Highlights 100 Years Of Indentureship And Women’s Rights - TTT News — www.ttt.live ↩
AG Nandlall calls for overhaul of legal profession – Department of Public Information, Guyana — dpi.gov.gy ↩
How to File a Complaint in Guyana Police Station? - Police Station — police-station.com ↩
Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority — dcraguyana.org ↩
Civil Legal Remedies’ Role in Combatting Elder Abuse — www.americanbar.org ↩
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana — en.wikipedia.org ↩

Elderly property owners need protection from land fraud

Khemraj Harryram

March 4, 2026·3 min read

Dear Editor,

Across Guyana, rising land values have heightened the temptation for exploitation. Common tactics reportedly include:

Misleading elders about the true nature of legal documents
Obtaining signatures on blank or partially completed pages
Securing sweeping or “irrevocable” Powers of Attorney
Fabricating debts to justify property transfers
Exploiting illness or hospitalisation to pressure elders into signing or affixing thumbprints

Stronger legislative protections are needed to ensure that elderly citizens are not divested of lifelong assets without clear, informed, and voluntary consent.

In the meantime, pensioners and their families should consider the following precautions while we wait on Mr. Nandalal since it might take years for him to wake up:

Never Sign Without Independent Legal Advice

Seek truly independent advice from a lawyer of your own choosing.
Do not rely solely on a lawyer introduced by the party requesting the signature.
Insist that every document be read aloud and explained in plain language to you.

Exercise Extreme Caution with Powers of Attorney

If a POA is necessary, limit it carefully.
Specify precisely which property it covers.
Set a clear and reasonable expiration date and not longer than one year.
Include express provisions for revocation that give the pensioner ultimate control.
Retain certified copies of all signed documents.

Protect Signatures and Thumbprints

Never sign blank pages.
Do not permit unnecessary photographing or copying of identification documents and signatures.
If hospitalised, request that a neutral witness, like the nurse or the doctor be present at all times and that all documents be clearly explained to all the witnesses before signing.

Maintain Proper Estate Planning

Ensure wills are professionally drafted and periodically updated.
Store original documents securely.
Inform at least one trusted such as a church elder outside of your circle of family, independent individual where the originals are kept.

Report Suspicious Activity Immediately

Involve Neutral Third Parties

Trusted community leaders, clergy, or independent witnesses can help oversee significant transactions.

Once upon a time a lawyer called Jamela Ali did an excellent project called the Law and You that helped people. That project has to restart.

Sincerely,
Khemraj Harryram

References

New Book By Hindu Women’s Organisation Founder Highlights 100 Years Of Indentureship And Women’s Rights - TTT News — www.ttt.live ↩
AG Nandlall calls for overhaul of legal profession – Department of Public Information, Guyana — dpi.gov.gy ↩
How to File a Complaint in Guyana Police Station? - Police Station — police-station.com ↩
Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority — dcraguyana.org ↩
Civil Legal Remedies’ Role in Combatting Elder Abuse — www.americanbar.org ↩
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana — en.wikipedia.org ↩

Other references

New Book By Hindu Women’s Organisation Founder Highlights 100 Years Of Indentureship And Women’s Rights - TTT News

www.ttt.live · 2025-12-03

ive Menu CommunityNews # New Book By Hindu Women’s Organisation Founder Highlights 100 Years Of Indentureship And Women’s Rights December 3, 2025 TTT News The Hindu Women’s Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (HWO) once again rolled out the pink carpet for a vibrant book launch and award ceremony, celebrating the activism of fearless advocates shaping a brighter future for women across the region. The evening, marked by activism and storytelling, brought together numerous organisations whose efforts play a vital ... The night’s main honouree was its founding member, social and cultural activist Brenda Gopeesingh, whose newly published book, ‘The 100th Anniversary of the End of Indentureship,’ is a historical tome about the life of the organisation and its efforts towards raising a red flag against gender inequality. The current President of the Hindu Women’s Organisation, Kamla Tewarie, described Ms. Gopeesingh as “a monumental force, whose legacy continues to inspire advocacy and female liberation” throughout the country. “Brenda’s success in advocacy was realised when she initiated the call to amend the Marriage Act in 2011. This Act legitimised child marriage. In 2017, the amended Marriage Act was proclaimed. Child marriage became ... “Currently we are trying to amend the Hindu Marriage Register, in which the bride’s profession is not ... Beyond the pages, Ms. Gopeesingh’s voice resonated as she focused on the need to illuminate all forms of gender-based ... Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Vandana Mohit, highlighted the importance of documenting our history, as it aids in strengthening our present and lighting the way for a more empowered future. “Yet even as we honour that legacy, we must confront the truth that many women and girls today still experience violence, discrimination, and inequality, and so the message of this book becomes more relevant, because the story of indentureship is not just of labour; it is a story of human rights. It is a story of struggle for recognition. It is a story of women who endured the unendurable and still rose.” November 26th is recognised as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the start of the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign. The global initiative aims to raise awareness, mobilise communities, and drive action to end gender-based violence. The campaign concludes on December 10th, recognised globally as Human Rights Day. Embedded YouTube video Search Search ### Top Stories CommunityGovernmentNews ### Mayaro MP Nicholas Morris Appointed Minister In The Office Of The Prime Minister February 13, 2026 Mahalia Joseph-Wharton Culture And FestivalsHomeland SecurityNews ### Government Invests $3.2 Million in Carnival Security: TTDF and TTPS Fully Deployed February 13, 2026 Sunil Lalla ... ### More Lifeguards, Jet Skis, And Coast Guard Patrols For Beaches This Carnival Weekend February 13, 2026 TTT News CommunityCrime[

AG Nandlall calls for overhaul of legal profession – Department of Public Information, Guyana

dpi.gov.gy · 2026-01-13

of Public Information, Guyana]] **Department of Public Information, Guyana** # AG Nandlall calls for overhaul of legal profession January 13, 2026 Speaking at the opening of the Law Year 2026 at the High Court in Georgetown on Tuesday, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, said there is an urgent need to reform the way the legal profession operates and is regulated. The attorney general argued that attorneys must be held to higher standards of accountability, transparency, ethical ... Opening of the Law Year 2026 at the High Court in Georgetown on Tuesday He explained that the legal profession has not changed its rules or responsibilities since independence, unlike the ... digitalisation. The senior counsel said the legal profession has remained largely stagnant, a situation he warned should not be allowed to continue. He disclosed that he has already held discussions with the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, who is fully supportive of reform. The Guyana Bar Association President, Kamal Ramkarran, has also been invited to begin formal engagements later this ... **“We need mandatory membership of the profession in a framework that will govern the profession. We need strong disciplinary processes that must be activated to deal with serious allegations of misconduct, negligence and dishonesty,”**said AG Nandlall. The AG also called for a structured, staged induction into the profession to ensure higher standards among new ... Meanwhile, the opening of the Law Year 2026 featured all judges of the Supreme Court, including the High Court, the Full Court, and the Court of Appeal. ... ### Share * Tweet * * Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)WhatsApp ... * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Email * ### *Related* **CATEGORIESGovernmentMinistry of Legal AffairsNews Bulletin **TAGSDPI| Department of Public InformationgovernmentGuyana 2026Law Year 2026Ministry of Legal Affairs widget-image ## Recent News ### ‘Yas School of Inspiration’ open doors to children with disabilities ### Gov’t to introduce national ‘school report card’ to boost accountability and performance ### Fifty Karasabai residents employed to help construct $993M concrete airfield ... ### Trucks restricted from High and Cowan streets after bridge damage- Minister Edghill ### Hinterland airfare reductions –a boost for connectivity and opportunity ### Sophia Road upgrade to drive development – say residents ... ### Buzz Bee Dam–Land of Canaan highway surges ahead, unlocking thousands of acres for development ... ### President Ali inspects Buzz Bee Dam works, calls project cornerstone of new national highway link ### Local Gov’t to launch app to strengthen communication with citizens ... ### Guyanese Diaspora Digest – 61st Edition ### The Cost of War and Conflict to the Environment and Food Security ### Guyanese Diaspora Digest – 52nd Edition ### Guyanese Diaspora Digest – 51st Edition ### [Guyanese Di

Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority

dcraguyana.org

The Purpose of the Deeds and Commercial Registry is to efficiently and expeditiously administer the laws enacted by Parliament affecting land, whether by way of Transport, Leases, Mortgages or any other alienation thereof; as well as those laws relating to Trademarks, Patents and Designs, Geographical Indications, Copyrights, Trade Unions, Companies, Partnership, Business names, Powers of Attorney, Bills of Sale contracts and other deeds. #### Deeds Registry #### Commercial Registry ##### **The Deeds Registry** The Deeds Registry comprises two broad sections, Conveyancing and Notarial. The Deeds Registry is guided by the Deeds Registry At Chapter 5:01 in relation to the Law. The Purpose of the Deeds Registry is to efficiently and expeditiously administer the laws enacted by Parliament affecting land, whether by way of transport, leases, mortgages or any other alienation thereof, powers of attorney, contracts and other deeds. ##### **The Commercial Registry** The Commercial Registry is mandated to provide accessible and responsive service and to ensure an adequate system for the administration of the laws enacted by Parliament relating to Companies, Business Names, Partnerships, Bills of Sale, Trade Unions, Trademarks, Patents and Design, Geographical Indicator and Copyright. How to file a Power of Attorney? How to file a Trust Deed? How can I register my business? How can I register a company? Property and Land Transport How to Trademark a brand? How to Incorporate an External Company? How to file a Bill of Sale? #### Our Locations ## Deeds Registry Georgetown Location ### Supreme Court Building Charlotte Street and Avenue of the Republic ## Commercial Registry Georgetown Location Lot 1 High and Commerce Street ## Berbice Sub-Registry ### Supreme Court Building Lot 1 Esplanade Road New Amsterdam, Berbice ## Essequibo Sub-Registry ## Lethem Sub-Registry Regional Democratic Council Building, Region 9 ## Bartica Sub-Registry 74 First Avenue, Bartica, Essequibo River ## Port Kaituma Sub

How to File a Complaint in Guyana Police Station? - Police Station

police-station.com · 2024-03-23

yanapoliceforce.gy] ## Procedure to File a Complaint in Guyana Police Station ### Visit the nearest police station - Locate the closest police station to your location in Guyana. ### Approach the front desk or reception - Upon arrival, explain to the officer at the front desk or reception that you wish to file a complaint. ### Provide details of the complaint - Clearly explain the nature of your complaint, including relevant details such as the date, time, location, and any other pertinent information. ### Present identification - Be prepared to present a valid form of identification, such as your national ID card or passport, to verify your ... ### Complete a complaint form - The officer may provide you with a complaint form to fill out, or they may take down the details of your complaint ... - If you have any evidence or documentation related to your complaint, such as photographs, witness statements, or other relevant materials, provide these to the police. ### Receive a copy of the complaint - Ensure that you receive a copy of the complaint for your records. ### Follow up on the complaint - Inquire about the next steps in the process and ask for any relevant contact information or reference numbers to follow up on the status of your complaint. ## How to apply and obtain Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in Guyana? View the Procedure to apply and obtain Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in Guyana Police through the above link. **_How to become a Police Officer in Guyana_**? View the Procedure to become a Police Officer in Guyana ## List of Police Stations in Guyana View the List of Police Stations in Guyana Address, Phone Number, Email, Hours and Website through the above link. File a complaint in police station Click to rate this post! \[Total: 0 Average: 0\]Springlands Police Station in Skeldon, Guyana: How to Contact, File a Complaint, Get PCC? View the Springlands Police Station in Skeldon, Guyana Address, Phone Number, Email, Opening Hours, Website and Social ... Fort Wellington Police Station in Fort Wellington, Guyana: How to Contact, File a Complaint, Get PCC? View the Fort Wellington Police Station in Fort Wellington, Guyana Address, Phone Number, Email, Opening Hours, Website ... How to get a police clearance Certificate What is a Police Clearance Certificate in Marshall Islands? A Police Clearance Certificate in the Marshall Islands is an official document issued \[…\] ... What is a Police Clearance Certificate in Scotland? A Police Clearance Certificate in Scotland, also known as a ... #### Leave a comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked \* Comment \* Name \* Email \* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ en_USEnglish en_USEnglish

Civil Legal Remedies’ Role in Combatting Elder Abuse

www.americanbar.org · 2025-06-24

June 24, 2025 ... In many cases, civil remedies are preferred by older adults experiencing abuse, and in many cases, civil remedies are the only way to attempt to stop and address abuse and exploitation. This article explores some civil remedies ... Why Civil Legal Remedies in Elder Abuse Cases? Survivors of elder abuse have oten been stripped of control over parts of their lives. The perpetrators explicitly or implicitly tell the older adult that their voice does not matter. When older adults seek to report the abuse to law enforcement or others and no action is taken, this can be received as confirmation that their experience and their voice do not matter. Civil litigation offers survivors a forum to regain control and be heard, the value of which ... Civil litigation begins with a prospective client contacting an attorney for legal advice or legal assistance. The ... grandchild in the process. The assurance that they can determine what redress is sought, if any, is reassuring to this ... The criminal justice process does not offer this power and control to the older adult. A criminal case begins with a ... Civil litigation can stop the crime or abuse as well as reverse or ease the negative effects of the crime. Civil litigation can also be used to prevent abuse. Civil litigation empowers survivors, as they direct the course of the litigation. Civil remedies are often times the only form of recourse left available to an older adult because of ... In a civil lawsuit, a client gets to hold the perpetrator accountable and tell her story. Many older adults who have experienced abuse have had their voices silenced or dismissed. The ability to publicly tell one’s story and to be believed by at least his attorney is important in healing from the abuse. The client is also given the opportunity to ... perpetrator of power and secrecy. There are roadblocks to seeking civil legal remedies. One example is isolation of the older adult. If the older ... help. Access to mail, phones, transportation, and other means of communication may be restricted by the abuser. This isolation may also prevent the older adult from fully realizing how wrongly they are being treated, as they are not receiving feedback from others about their situation. Types of Civil Remedies The civil remedies available to older adults depend on state law. This is especially true in consumer law cases. Some states have enacted specific financial exploitation or senior consumer protections statutes to address financial elder abuse. These remedies are not available in every state, however, and the age required to qualify for protection under these statutes varies among states. Abuse by Fiduciaries (Attorneys in Fact, Guardians, Conservators, etc.) Elder abuse cases often involve abuse of authority conferred by power of attorney documents or guardianship orders. An agent under a power of attorney or a guardian may be misusing or stealing the older adults money or property. The ... Legal advice in the form of client education about their rights under a power of attorney and the agent’s duties and ... Consumer protection statute and senior consumer protection statute claims Injunctions Replevin actions These examples are not exhaustive of the civil legal remedies one might pursue in elder abuse cases, and some of these remedies may not be available in every jurisdiction. But they do illustrate the breadth of civil legal responses ... letter recapping their conversation, the lawyer demonstrates to the client that the client is in control, and this builds trust between the lawyer and the client. The client sees that his voice matters, and his wishes will be respected. This may help give the client the confidence needed to take the next step. Conclusion It often takes great courage for an older adult to report elder abuse, and one of the worst things that can happen is for the older adult not to be

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana

en.wikipedia.org · 2024-05-22

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia | Logo of the institute | | Abbreviation | ICAG | | Predecessor | Association of Certified Corporate Accountants | | Formation | November 9, 1966; 57 years ago (1966-11-09) | | Legal status | Statutory body corporate | | Headquarters | Georgetown, Guyana | | Coordinates | 6°49′08″N58°09′50″W / 6.818783°N 58.163756°W / 6.818783; -58.163756 | | Region | Guyana | | Membership | 65 | | Official language | English | | President | Vishwamint Ramnaraine | | Vice President | David Dharamraj | | Secretary | Raan Motilall | | Treasurer | Amrita Singh - Henriques | | Board of directors | Vasudeo Singh, Harry Parmesar, Ramesh Seebarran, Colin Thompson | | Website | www.icag.org.gy | Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana The **Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana** (ICAG) is a professional body in Guyana that regulates the accountancy industry and arranges for ongoing training of its members. ... Until 1956, accountants in Guyana belonged to the UK-based Association of Certified Corporate Accountants. On 9 November 1966 the Guyana Association of Accountants was incorporated by eight professional accountants. On 11 July 1974 the organization was renamed the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Guyana.[\[1\]] The current institute is incorporated under the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana Act 1991, which defines ... ## Activities\[ edit\] The institute is engaged in training and regulation of professional accountants in Guyana.[\[3\]] ICAG is a joint examination scheme partner of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).[\[4\]] ICAG and ACCA jointly run a practice-monitoring programme, and by the end of 2010 all members had been visited once.[\[5\]] ICAG is a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).[\[6\]] The institute is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC). On 25–27 June 2009, ICAG hosted the ICAC 27th Annual Conference of Accountants at the Guyana International Conference ... in August 2009, Parmessar noted the great difficulty of retaining qualified accountants within the country. He said that 25 accountants were trained by the institute each year, but half of them migrated to North America or elsewhere. In a partial effort to address the problem, the government of Guyana now allows any ACCA-qualified Caricom ... on uniform Caribbean company law and Caribbean tax law had never got far, but should be pursued to help make ... 2. **^**"INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF GUYANA ACT 1991"(PDF). Government of Guyana. ... 3. **^**"Objectives of the ICAG". ICAG. Retrieved 2011-07-01. ... 8. **^**"Caribbean chartered accountants to set up advisory body on technical issues". ... [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Institute\_of\_Chartered\_Accountants\_of\_Guyana&oldid=1225133204]<web_lin ... Category: - [Member bodies of the International Federation of Account