Mavado ‘surprised’ by arrest warrant

Overseas-based Jamaican dancehall superstar Mavado was"very surprised" that there is an active warrant for his arrest in Jamaica.

Deputy Superintendent Randy Sweeney, head of the St Andrew North Police, revealed that Mavado -- real name David Brooks -- is wanted on a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm stemming from a 2018 incident.

Sweeney declined to disclose details of the alleged assault.

The warrant was issued on June 9, 2018.

The complaint against the 'Gully God' was made by a man who was arrested and charged by the police for allegedly shooting at the entertainer in June 2018, said Oswest Senior-Smith, one of the entertainer's attorneys.

"He has always denied any offence that could give rise to a warrant, and particularly the assault that is alleged. That has always been his position," Senior-Smith told THE STAR last Friday.

In 2022, Mavado, who is believed to be in the United States of America, railed at what he described as a "fake warrant" and corrupt cops at the Constant Spring Police Station.

"The same police that locked up my son years ago are the same ones who have come up with this warrant 4 years later," he said in an Instagram post.

Senior-Smith has since said that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has since confirmed the existence of the warrant.

"I have seen copies of this warrant which is said to exist," said Senior-Smith, adding that Mavado was "very surprised" when he first learnt of its existence.

The issue surfaced in 2022 when the ODPP sought to get approval for Mavado to give evidence via video link in the fraud case against disbarred attorney Jennifer Messado. The entertainer, who has claimed that he was fleeced of $30 million by Messado in a real estate deal, is the complainant in that case.

However, the case hit a snag after it was revealed that authorisation for Mavado to give his evidence via video link can only be granted if there is no outstanding warrant for him in Jamaica.