Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said on national radio Monday a special committee will examine ways of speeding up the appeal process in order to implement the death penalty.That was one of several critical issues raised during his appearance on the show Morning Panchayat.
Ramlogan said since taking office he has collected a large amount of evidence of wrongdoing and at the same time found that certain people have tried to cover up evidence of corruption.
Last week Ramlogan announced that a powerful team led by a British QC is conducting a forensic probe into several state institutions, including the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), Petrotrin and the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago.
Read the story: AG appoints 5-member team to probe state agencies; seeks citizens' help
Ramlogan said the team would have to closely analyse claims made by the late UTT vice president of Finance and Administration Kenneth Fitz-Andrews.Fitz-Andrews was the first person to make allegations of corruption at UTT.
Ramlogan has encouraged citizens with information of corruption to report whatever they know and on Monday he said he would consider whistle blower legislation to protect those who report wrongdoing.
Asked about the pending extradition matter regarding businessmen Steve Ferguson and Ish Galbaransingh, the AG said "justice will be served".
He also spoke of the long delays of cases before the courts and suggested that he might consider an amnesty for minor offences that have been before the courts for more than five years.
He also said he expects that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will take action “in due course” with respect to alleged breaches of the Integrity in Public Life Act over granting of an "overnight radio licence".
Speaking about corruption in general the AG said, “People are reaching out and saying they can’t stomach what took place, and as a result, are providing insider information,” including anonymous tips.
On Petrotrin, Ramlogan said he was alarmed over alleged financial dealings at state-owned company in its dealings with New York-based World GTL Incorporated. Petrotrin is now facing a $12 billion lawsuit over the collapse of a joint venture project in Trinidad with GTL.
Petrotrin had initially said it was not aware of the legal action.
Read the story: Petrotrin not aware of $12B lawsuit over gas plant in Trinidad
Ramlogan also spoke of the collapse of the Hindu Credit Union (HCU), which caused tens of thousands of people to lose their savings and investments.
He said in the interest of justice he would like to see HCU members get the same treatment as CLICO investors.
He also said he plans on taking a note to cabinet on "the most appropriate manner" to deal with the abandoned Guanapo Church. He suggested it might be used as a halfway house or a drug rehabilitation centre.
In the 1990s, the State seized properties owned by executed drug dealer Dole Chadee and used them for similar purposes.
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