The High Court hearing on the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) controversy – popularly known as Red House – was brought forward by some 17 days and will now be called on February 3.
President David Granger’s order to revoke the lease for the CJRC to occupy Red House was on December 30, 2016, challenged by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall on behalf of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Incorporated (CJRCI) – the organisation with oversight of the activities of Red House.
The Red House which houses the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre
The court documents seen by Guyana Times ordered all items, property and artefacts stored at Red House not to be interfered with or removed until further ordered. The ruling was handed down by Chief Justice (Ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards and the matter will be heard again on February 20.
Attorney General Basil Williams and Commissioner of Lands and Surveys Doorga Persaud, listed as defendants, were granted leave to file an Affidavit in Answer within 21 days. Persaud, however, is no longer the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys.
Guyana Times understands that to date, the Attorney General has failed to file this Affidavit.
The CJRCI, the Applicant, would have then been required to file an Affidavit in Reply within 14 days.
Among the reliefs sought in the proceedings are a declaration that the lease to CJRCI is valid, binding and in force; and a declaration that the revocation or threatened revocation of the said lease is unlawful, illegal, contrary to and in breach of CJRCI’s fundamental right not to be deprived of its property that is, its 99-year lease hold-interests as guaranteed by Article 142 of the Constitution; damages for breach of contract and breach of constitutional rights.
CJCRI is seeking in excess of $1 million for breach of Government’s lease agreement.
However, Government is maintaining that the lease is invalid on the basis that there is no evidence that the President of the day had sanctioned it.
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has since contended that there is no need for the President’s signature on the lease once it was signed by the Commissioner of the Lands and Survey Commission of the day.
The Research Centre was established in 1999 to promote research into and publish materials on the life, work and ideas of Dr Jagan.
The prime land on which Red House sits was leased to the CJRCI for 99 years at the cost of $12,000 per year.
Government wants to repossess the land with the intention of transferring the National Trust of Guyana to that building. The ultimate aim would be to transform Red House into a space to recognise all past Presidents of Guyana.
