AG seeks legal opinion on Rowley's comments on Ish, Steve extradition matter

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan is seeking legal advice to determine if comments made on Tuesday by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley amount to defamation.

Rowley commented on a High Court decision to quash the extradition order for businessmen Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson that was signed by Ramlogan.

Rowley said the decision meant that justice in Trinidad & Tobago had been defeated and claimed that Ramlogan "facilitated the whole process" and got the expected result.

In response to a reporter's question on whether he saw the verdict as a defeat for the AG, Rowley said: “I wouldn’t term it a defeat for the Attorney General...if there is any defeat it would be for justice in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Ramlogan issued a statement Wednesday in which he said that in relation to the extradition matter he pursued and executed his professional and statutory duties in accordance with the laws and Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago.

He added that he also sought the opinion and views of external leading counsel, both in Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom before deciding whether to issue the extradition warrants.

"The Attorney General respects the judgment of the Courts of Trinidad & Tobago and any suggestion that he has acted for his own or for any other purpose inconsistent with his role as Chief Law Officer, is not only irresponsible but is an outrageous suggestion," he declared.

"To the extent that Dr Rowley has suggested otherwise, the Attorney General is seeking independent legal advice from senior counsel in London to examine whether the comments made by Dr Rowley amount to defamation.

"Further, Dr. Rowley comments may well constitute contempt of court in so far as his comments "scandalise the court" with the intention of interfering with the administration of justice and upon which the Attorney General is seeking further advice."

Ramlogan added that he has also brought the matter to the attention of the Law Association and the DPP for immediate action.

He said, "Although the court has quashed a decision made by the AG, it is improper for anyone to describe a judgment of the court "a blow to justice. Indeed the judgment of the court is in fact the delivery of justice in accordance with the law.

"The rule of law demands that all politicians respect the judgments of our courts regardless of our political views and affiliation."

The law association is meeting Thursday to discuss the matter.