Caribbean Net News: Trinidad's Attorney General claims Chief Justice is above the law

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad's Attorney General, John Jeremie, has claimed that two court orders to stop criminal proceedings against the nation's Chief Justice, Satnarine Sharma, for alleged interference in the Basdeo Panday trial, has virtually put the Chief Justice above the law of Trinidad and Tobago.

The attorney general added his voice to the ongoing controversy during a 22-minute televised broadcast on Monday night. It was the strongest reaction yet from Mr Jeremie.

He told the nation that nobody was to be exempted if deemed to have committed a wrong.

Justice Sharma has challenged the executive, preventing any criminal charges to be laid against him, when police attempted to execute a warrant for his detention.

The substantial matter is still to be decided upon in the Trinidad High Court. By virtue of two court orders no action if ever, is to be taken against Sharma until the court rules. The Chief Justice is being charged for Perverting the Course of Public Justice by allegedly attempting to influence the outcome of the Basdeo Panday integrity trial.

Meanwhile, the government is maintaining that it acted with due process in referring the matter to its investigating arm of the state.

The issue has resulted in a large public outcry, some in support of the Chief Justice and some in support of government's action.

Chief Justice Sharma, has filed for judicial review of the case. That matter is to be heard in High Court by September 19 this year.

Back...

Printable version