Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has accused the local Courts of undermining Governance in the country, and “frustrating the will of the people”. He made the statement as he expressed disappointment that the elections fraud case before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court is experiencing further delays.
At a press conference on Thursday, Mr. Jagdeo said the Magistracy was hindering the administration of justice.
“The judiciary here, the magistracy, they are frustrating the will of the people, and they are not allowing justice to be done, and they are undermining governance in this country, governance,” the Vice President said.
The elections fraud case has been put on hold, pending the hearing and determination of a constitutional matter at the level of the High Court in relation to the same case. An opposition Member of Parliament and a number of top GECOM officials are among those facing he fraud charges.
City Magistrate Leron Daly has referred the question of “fair hearing” to the High Court, in response to the Defense Attorney’s contention that Section 140:2 of the Representation of the Peoples’ Act, which bars the disclosures of minutes of meetings held by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), is unconstitutional.
Magistrate Daly, last Wednesday, said she was compelled to refer the question to the High Court, in accordance with the Constitution, and cannot therefore proceed with the trial, until the High Court pronounces on the very important issue.
But Jagdeo believes that there is a deliberate attempt to stall the case.
“In our case, you have had a merry-go-round. It is all transparent that they don’t want these people to go to trial because the evidence is so overwhelming that it would support a conviction, and jail for these individuals,” the Vice President said.
He told reporters that the case has gone on for far too long, and should have concluded by now.
“I am not asking for a particular decision; we are not saying we want the person convicted or not. We are asking that you proceed with the trial, the trial. It has been too long. It is almost four years now and we can’t get to trial,” the Vice President said.
While comparing Guyana’s Judiciary to that of the US, the Vice President said there might be a need for legislative reform, so as to hold judicial officers accountable when they fail to perform.
The Vice President said Guyanese might be “tip-toeing” around the issue, or even silent on it, out of fear that should they speak up against the judiciary, they would be cited for contempt of court.
He said the Judiciary must be held accountable, contending that underperformance of the judiciary has the potential of harming the will of the Guyanese people.
Attorney Ronald Daniels, who is representing a number of the accused, said the statements by the Vice President are reckless and irresponsible, and have the potential to undermine governance.
He said the statements by Mr. Jagdeo are an attack on local judges and magistrates.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login