– says failure of President to ascertain truth would be an ominous sign
Condemning the alleged actions of Attorney General Basil Williams in threatening a judge, the parliamentary Opposition PPP has called for President David Granger to launch an investigation into this allegation, and to accordingly take decisive action.
In a strongly worded statement to the press on Thursday, the PPP said “A failure
Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo
by the President to act decisively in this matter would certainly send an ominous signal.” The release continued: “We condemn the (alleged) actions of the Attorney General in the strongest possible terms, and we call upon His Excellency the President to immediately launch an investigation into this matter with a view (to) removing the Attorney General from office.”
Alleging that it has received other reports of similar conduct engaged in by the Attorney General, the party noted that the nation “is now confronted with press reports that the Attorney General has (allegedly) threatened to kill a sitting judge in open court in a matter that has great political, constitutional and democratic significance.”
The PPP has said it “stands firm in solidarity with the Judiciary, and we will continue to struggle to ensure that the integrity, independence and dignity of our
judges are protected and maintained.”
According to reports, Justice Franklin Holder walked off the bench on Thursday following an exchange he had had with the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams.
The legal proceedings being heard in the High Court at the time were in regard to the conflicting stories submitted in affidavits by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and trade unionist Carvil Duncan — about the tribunal which was established to determine Duncan’s removal from several constitutional posts. A cross-examination to remove the confusion was ongoing at the time, but as the cross-examination was coming to an end, a frustrated Williams reportedly accused the Judge of not accurately recording the evidence, and Justice Holder took umbrage at the accusation.
A legal challenge has been filed by Duncan against the attempt to remove him
from the Chairmanship of the Public Service Commission, membership of the Police Service Commission, and membership of the Judicial Service Commission. However, a conflict of facts has arisen in the various affidavits filed. The Prime Minister’s affidavit contends that his office had served Duncan with a letter, dated 29th March 2016, which he claims was received at the Public Service Commission on April 14, 2016. That letter calls upon Duncan to show cause, within fourteen (14) days, why he should not be removed from the aforesaid positions.
In their affidavits in response, Duncan and his Confidential Secretary swore that no such letter was ever received at the Public Service Commission. They both contend that indeed a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office was received on April 14th 2017, but they say that that letter, addressed to Duncan, informed him of a Public Service Conference which was to be held in London, England later that year.
At a press conference held the very next day after the courtroom incident, Williams denied all reports that he had threatened the Judge; and moreover, he has threatened to sue the Guyana Times and Kaieteur News for publishing this assertion, and Nandlall for asserting that he had threatened Justice Holder.
Reiterating that the threats were made, Nandlall has since challenged Williams to take the matter to court.
