Philbert can find Manning's spiritual adviser "when the time is right"

Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert has told the Newsday newspaper police know where to find Rev. Juliana Peña and will contact her when it is necessary.

Peña is the alleged owner of the controversial Arima church that is the subject of an investigation by the fraud squad.

The investigation centres on whether State funds were used to finance the construction of the church.

During the election campaign then opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar revealed that there was a connection between Prime Minister Manning and the church and that the government agency - UDeCOTT - was involved in the project.

Manning denied that but after the election the architect for the project made a sworn declaration stating that Manning was involved since the early planning stages and that Pena, who is Manning's spiritual adviser, was the owner of the church.

Newsday said police have obtained immigration records that show that Peña is not in the country. It quoted police sources saying she is "somewhere in Africa".

Peña had once represented Trinidad and Tobago in a diplomatic capacity in Zimbabwe.

Philbert told Newsday, “When the time is right, she will be contacted. The police are very sure they can contact her when it is necessary.”

The investigation currently underway involves Peña, Manning, the Shanghai Construction Company and former UDeCOTT executive chairman, Calder Hart.

Newsday said police have said although they have had assurances from former AG John Jeremy that he can contact Hart so far they have not been able to find him. Shanghai construction told the paper its lawyers have advised officials not to speak with the media.