Jagdeo’s application to set aside $20M libel ruling dismissed

The Attorneys for the Vice President wanted the Judge's original ruling to be set aside, claiming that the failure by Mr. Jagdeo's previous Attorney Anil Nandlall to file a defence in the matter was due to national elections and other national issues.

Jagdeo’s application to set aside $20M libel ruling dismissed

The Vice President’s move to set aside a multi-million ruling against him in favour of Opposition Member Annette Ferguson in a libel case has failed.

High Court Sandra Kurtzious this afternoon dismissed Mr. Jagdeo’s application for the default to be set aside on the basis that the applicant failed to show a reasonable explanation for the default.

The Attorneys for the Vice President wanted the Judge’s original ruling to be set aside, claiming that the failure by Mr. Jagdeo’s previous Attorney Anil Nandlall to file a defence in the matter was due to national elections and other national issues.

The Judge did not buy that explanation and said Mr Jagdeo’s Attorneys completely disregarded the Court’s rule for them to file their defence within a specific time.

Ferguson’s lawsuit stemmed from statements Jagdeo made in the media about her acquisition of land and construction of a house while she served as a Minister.

Her Attorney had maintained that the statements were reckless, libelous, and were designed to damage her character.

The case was filed in January 2020 and referenced the statements that were made by Mr. Jagdeo in December 2019.

The Attorneys for the former Minister presented various documents to the Court detailing her purchase of the land and construction of her home through a bank loan.

The lawyers argued that Mr. Jagdeo needed to provide evidence to back up his claims.

He never did and the Judgment was granted against him. With the application for the original ruling to be set aside now dismissed, the Vice President is likely to file an appeal.

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