WILLIAMS

The trial of east Kingston businessman Danhai Williams, who is charged jointly with six others with allegedly defrauding the National Housing Development Corporation (NHDC) of $451 million, has been put off for mention on April 23.

When the case came up for trial yesterday in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, defence lawyers complained to Resident Magistrate Desiree Alleyne that they were not served with all the documents in the case.

The prosecutionis expected to serve the documents before the mention date so that another trial date can be set.

Financial irregularities

Williams and his company, Danwill Construction, and the six other accused were charged in October 2003 following a one-year probe into financial irregularities in the NHDC/ Operation PRIDE projects.

They are accused of defrauding the NHDC of $451 million. Williams is charged with 87 counts of fraud.

Those charged with Williams are Karl Kirkland, former financial controller of Danwill Construction; Warren Sibbles, former NHDC director of technical services; Donovan Hill, former project manager, NHDC; Eugenny Porter, president, Melbroo Provident Society; Wayne Nash, president, St. Benedict Provident Society and Dwight Dawkins, president, Morant Lands Provident Society.