The Judiciary of Trinidad & Tobago expressed "grave concern" Thursday over comments made earlier in the week by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley on a decision of High Court judge Ronnie Boodoosingh.
In a formal statement from Protocol and Information Manager Jones P Madeira, the judiciary said since Rowley had not denied the report, "one can only conclude that the contents, including the direct assertions, are accurate."
The judge quashed an extradition order for businessmen Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson, who are wanted in the United States on money laundering and other charges.
The extradition order for both men was signed by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan. Reporters asked Rowley on Tuesday whether he considered the decision a defeat for Ramlogan.
His response was he didn't.
"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." He added that the AG was the person who facilitated the whole process "so having got the expected result, I wouldn’t call it a defeat.”
"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." He added that the AG was the person who facilitated the whole process "so having got the expected result, I wouldn’t call it a defeat.”
In a formal statement from Protocol and Information Manager Jones P Madeira, the judiciary said since Rowley had not denied the report, "one can only conclude that the contents, including the direct assertions, are accurate."
The statement said "the Judiciary expressed its abhorrence of the innuendoes by the Leader of the Opposition of collusion between the judge and by extension, the judiciary, and the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago in the decision which was arrived at and handed down in the court.”
It stated further that the Judiciary respects the right of every citizen to express disagreement with and even criticise the rulings of the court.
It stated further that the Judiciary respects the right of every citizen to express disagreement with and even criticise the rulings of the court.
However, the “imputations of motive and even wrongdoing on the part of Dr Rowley’s statements are not only outside of the bounds of respect and objectivity that should attend the exercise of those rights, but also represent an unwarranted and unjustified attack on the judge.”
The statement suggested that Rowley’s comments "are additionally potentially injurious to the administration of justice in Trinidad and Tobago.
The statement suggested that Rowley’s comments "are additionally potentially injurious to the administration of justice in Trinidad and Tobago.
"This is even more disturbing when such comments emanate from an official who is pledged to uphold the constitution and the laws of the country.”
The statement gave an assurance that the Judiciary remains committed “to a fiercely independent judicial system in Trinidad and Tobago and will not be sidetracked from this mission by unfortunate statements such as those by the Leader of the Opposition.”
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