THE cases against Ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant Oliver Hinckson and other ex-soldier James Gibson, jointly charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, were once again called yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

On the last occasion, Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys had announced that he was recalling the warrant previously issued for Gibson and proceeding ‘ex parte’ (in his absence).

Yesterday, these cases continued before Magistrate Gilhuys who fixed the next date for April 11, when other matters against Hinckson are also expected to continue.

Particulars of the offence surrounding the joint charge said, on June 6, 2006, in an Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt house, in Georgetown, the defendants had a .380 pistol, 12 rounds of matching ammunition and twenty-six 12-gauge shotgun cartridges without licences for them.

Sixty-four-year-old Hinckson, of 167 Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, is also facing charges of sedition and conspiracy to commit a terrorist act.

It is alleged that, last January 31, he advocated terrorism and made a seditious speech to the public and news media, the purpose of which was to solicit hatred and contempt and promote public disorder.

When the Preliminary Inquiry into these indictable charges was to begin last Tuesday, Police Inspector Robert Tyndall, prosecuting, said, based on instructions he had received, he could not proceed.

Tyndall said his advice, from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), was that the lower Court proceedings should await determination of related matters in the High Court.

But one of Hinckson’s lawyers, Mr. Nigel Hughes, said this was a fabricated excuse for the Prosecution’s incompetence.