Trinidad and Tobago President George Maxwell Richards. AFP PHOTO / MICHAL CIZEK

The charge arose out of the Basdeo Panday trial, the outcome of which Sharma is accused of trying to influence.

Moments before the Chief Justice was due to be arrested on Friday  July14, 2006, a court order was secured by a high court judge preventing him from facing any criminal charge pending a judicial review of the case on behalf of the Chief Justice. That matter is to be heard in October.

In a nationwide address on Tuesday, President George Maxwell Richards said, "As your President I have agonized over my responsibility to the state, to the administration of justice and to the Constitution which I am sworn to defend. I worry particularly at the examples now been set for our young and disadvantaged. I am deeply troubled by the precedents now being set and I am uncertain whether the citizens of this country can now have faith in the system as it stands at the present time."

Richards told the nation that he recognized that the framers of the Trinidad and Tobago Constitution could not have envisaged something like this occurring where a Chief Justice could be tried in the very courts over which he, the Chief Justice, presides.

He said no one is above the law and that the population should understand that the system works without regard to race, religion or political persuasion.  The President said he was advised by the Prime Minister that there should be an investigation into the possibility of removing the Chief Justice and that he was duty bound to act according to due process and in accordance with the provisions of   the Constitution.

"Very serious matters have arisen in respect of the Chief Justice which are themselves  also the subject of a criminal complaint and court proceedings. I express no view as to innocence or guilt in these matters, that is not my function, yet the fact that they exist cannot be ignored," continued the President.

"I read a disturbing report from the Commissioner of Police in relation to the attempted arrest of the Chief Justice.  I am now of the view that the matter requires an immediate investigation.  I am faced with a series of unprecedented events in which urgent action must be taken in defence of the rule of law and the administration of justice in the Republic, the image of our beloved country has suffered and continues to be the subject of ridicule in some quarters internationally," added President Richards.

"I am also of the firm view that more damage will accrue from inaction in the present circumstances than the measured action which I propose to take, the action which is required must be no more than that which is absolutely necessary to restore the confidence of the citizenry in the rule of law and the administration of justice, without this we are all lost as a nation," the President went on to state.

The President did not say specifically what action will be taken. He ended his speech by saying there must be one law for all, rich or poor, big or small.

He described the situation as a deep and urgent crisis and called on all citizens to remain calm.

It is however being rumored that executive action could be taken soon, meaning possibly imposing a state of emergency.

As to what will be the next move, this is expected to be known in the next week if not days.