Judge says Prof. Uff can respond to UDeCOTT's allegations

Justice Mira Dean-Armorer ruled Friday that it is in the interest of justice and in the public’s interest to allow Prof John Uff an opportunity to respond to serious allegations of misconduct made by an executive of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (UDeCOTT).

UDeCOTT’s lead attorney, Andrew Goddard, QC, argued in court that his clients will be "prejudiced by the inconvenience" by now having to respond to Uff’s latest statement. Lawyers for the commission told the judge Uff’s statement is being prepared in England but has been delayed because of unusually harsh winter conditions.

UDeCOTT is claiming that statements made by Uff and the fact that the commission admitted evidence from Carl Khan was prejudicial and provided sensational material for the media.

Khan is the former husband of Sherinne Hart, the wife of UDeCOTT executive chairman Calder Hart. Khan’s testimony supported charges made by Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, that the two directors and shareholders of a CH Development were the brother and brother-in-law of Sherrine Hart.

CH won a $368 million contract from UDeCOTT to build the Legal Affairs Towers, UDeCOTT’s chief operating officer Neelanda Rampaul accused Uff of lacking credibility and being on a mission to seek and destroy UDeCOTT.

The corporatin's lead attorney Frank Solomon made similar accusations, noting that the commission was used by UDeCOTT's critics to defame and scandalise Hart.