AG supports consolidation of Election fraud cases

With the election fraud cases against a former APNU+AFC government minister, and a number of ex-election officials moving at snail’s pace, the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, while expressing his disappointment in the process, said he supports the Prosecution’s call for a consolidation of the cases.

Special Prosecutor, Darshan Ramdhani on Tuesday, told the National Communications Network (NCN) that the Prosecution will write the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings to request that a Special Magistrate or Court be appointed to adjudicate over the cases.

Hours later, the Attorney General during his ‘Issues In the News’ tv show, said he supports any move that would lead to the commencement of the trials, noting that the cases have dragged on for far too long already.

“It is not in the State’s interest, it is not in the defence interest, neither is it in the public’s interest that these matters of national importance are delayed further. It is in the interest of justice, it is in the interest of the defence, it is in the interest of the rule of law, it is in the interest of the State, that these cases are tried and disposed of as quickly as possible. Enough time has already elapsed. It is hoped that when the formal request is made to the appropriate judicial officer, a decision would be made that would be in the best interest of justice,” the Attorney General said.

Minister Nandlall noted that while the case was called in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, little progress was made.

“Arguments continued to be advanced about separation of charges, about procedural issues, and also whether, one magistrate should try the cases or whether the cases should be tried by different magistrates, etc. The public is not really interested in those issues,” the Attorney General said.

While noting that he is not advocating for an unfair trial, the Attorney General said justice delayed is justice denied.

But Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes, who is representing the former Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers; and Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo – said it is his clients, who are enduring an unfair trial.

Laying the blame at the feet of the Prosecution, Mr. Hughes told reporters that the request by the Prosecution to consolidate the cases has now pushed them back even further.

“These defendants have now been coming to court in excess of three years, without the prosecution being unable to start their case, despite saying that they are ready. And this, I believe, is an infringement of their right to a fair trial within a reasonable time,” Hughes said.

The Prosecution on Tuesday told Senior Magistrate Leron Daly that there are 140 statements with some 80 witnesses to be examined.

Former Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, MP and APNU Chief Scrutineer, Carol Smith-Joseph are among those facing election fraud related charges surrounding the 2020 elections.

The case is expected to come up again on the 25th October.