Jagdeo absent at court to answer private criminal charge

Attorney Christopher Ram is contending that Jagdeo’s statements at Babu John about the beating of drums to drive out one race by another out of office, could result in ethnic violence or hatred as cited in the Representation of the People Act. Under that Act, the former President could face a fine and prison time, if he is found guilty.

Jagdeo absent at court to answer private criminal charge

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo refused to appear at the Whim Magistrates Court on Monday morning to answer a criminal charge filed against him for allegedly making racially divisive statements publicly.

Instead, a battery of lawyers turned up in the courthouse to represent the former President.

The private criminal charge was filed by Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram.

Ram is contending that Jagdeo’s statements at Babu John about the beating of drums to drive out one race by another out of office, could result in ethnic violence or hatred as cited in the Representation of the People Act. Under that Act, the former President could face a fine and prison time, if he is found guilty.

When the matter was called before the Magistrate, Jagdeo’s lead attorney Bernard DeSantos argued that the summons was not properly prepared and the charge was an attempt to muzzle the former President.

However, the case will continue on May 25 when Ram’s Attorneys will respond to the arguments put forward by the attorneys for Jagdeo.

Ram is convinced that at that time the former President will have to appear in court to enter a plea to the charge. A number of supporters of the People’s Progressive Party appeared outside the Magistrates’ Court at Whim on Monday morning as the matter was being heard.

The Media Monitoring Unit of the Guyana Elections Commission in its first report for the 2015 elections described the Jagdeo statements at Babu John as “racially divisive” .

The Unit said it offered comment on the speech after it was aired nationally on state and private tv stations.

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