Attorney General Anil Nandlall is urging the Judiciary to address the delays with the Election Fraud trial, and have the matter speeded up.
On his “Issues in the News” television programme last evening, Mr. Nandlall reacted to the further adjournment of the criminal trial into alleged election fraud until the end of October. The presiding Magistrate Leron Daly remains on sick leave.
The trial was expected to recommence yesterday, but has been pushed back.
The Attorney General said the cases are of great public and national importance and should have been completed or almost completed by now.
He noted that because of the nature of the cases, it would have received the highest form of attention in other democracies.
“Unfortunately, in Guyana, that is not the position, the judiciary must act and act quickly to reprieve its credibility in this matter and I have to be frank. What is transpiring here cannot accord with the principles of justice understood by the ordinary, reasonable man, every Guyanese should be concerned with this state of affairs,” Mr.Nandlall said.
The AG reasoned that the delays are well orchestrated. He said after many delays before the cases actually went to trial, it was expected that there will be smooth sailing but the delays persist.
“My comments have been consistent about what I consider to be an orchestrated attempt to delay these matters. It was started with defence counsel, there are a number of defence counsel who have collectively been pursuing a strategy of finding ways and means to get adjournments in these cases,” Mr. Nandlall said.
He said the duty lies with the judiciary to correct the situation urgently.
He said public commentary on the matters must not be stifled since it is a matter of great importance, adding that with another election on the horizon, a determination should have long been made on a case involving an election that took place four years ago.
Nandlall made it clear that he is not attacking the Judiciary, but noted that it is his responsibility and duty to speak out on such matters, and he said his comments should not be seen as attributing ill or ulterior motive to members of the judiciary.
The Acting Chief Magistrate has already announced that if the presiding Magistrate for the case is still ill at the end of October, the matter will be transferred to another Court.
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