On Tuesday, former Finance Minister Winston Jordan walked out of the court without a care in the world. At the insistence of the government and on the advice of Attorney Anil Nandlall, the Special Organised Crime Unit charged Jordan for misconduct in public office.
At issue was Jordan, who held Ministerial responsibility for the National Industrial Commercial and Investment Limited, responding to a Cabinet decision for him to sign the document to transfer a seafront property to BK Marines. Monies had to be paid. The government contended that the property was worth $5 billion and was underpriced. But from the inception the argument was that Jordan had done nothing wrong.
A former manager of NICIL, Winston Brassington, had told the court that he had exclusive right to dispose of NICIL assets within the law. But as far as the government was concerned those who served during the tenure of the coalition government had to be penalised.
So, the former head of NICIL Colvin Heath London, former Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Attorney at law James Bond and the list goes on were to appear in court. The government knew that it did not have what the people in the cold countries would describe as a snowball’s chance in hell to gain a conviction.
Jordan was charged in 2021. His case remained in the court for almost 18 months. Heath London says that his matter keeps getting deferred. Benn says the same thing.
Of course, Dr Ashni Singh, President Irfaan Ali and Anil Nandlall were also placed before the courts. When the PPP got into office the Director of Public Prosecutions decided that the matters would not be proceeded with. So, the way was clear for President Irfaan Ali with 19 fraud charges to become President. Dr Ashni Singh had left the country to seek his fortunes elsewhere. However, he came home to face his trial. Brassington did the same.
There is the view in some quarters that the government decided to seek revenge. Paul Slowe, a former Assistant Police Commissioner came to Guyana to answer a charge brought against him by the government.
Ranks from the Special Organised Crime Unit attempted to arrest him while he stood in the courtyard awaiting his court appearance. Slowe stood his ground despite the assault.
To highlight the politicization of the Guyana Police Force, Slowe reported the assault to the Brickdam Police Station. Two years later and there has been no action to his complaint. His matter involving the charge levied by the police is slowly making its way through the courts.
Of interest is the fact that former Minister Winston Jordan was placed on $3 million bail. Bail is a condition to ensure that a person attends court. It is not intended to be punitive. Jordan’s was punitive. That money sat in the courts, losing value each day. It earned no interest for Jordan so he is coming out the loser. He is however entitled to $2 million from the government based on a ruling by the court in a parallel matter. He may get some interest on that sum since the courts usually fix an interest payment on judgements.
There are others who have matters before the courts and whose bail money is sitting there. They too are wondering when they will have their day in court.
Another issue that attracted my attention came with the decision by the Guyana Press Association to hold elections. This body has been in existence for 78 years. There have been many elections but in my years as a member of this body there has never been a meeting like the last one.
There was a challenge for the presidency. That challenge saw members of the media hurling some nasty statements at colleagues. One member described the president as a sanctimonious gangster. Such a comment warranted immediate expulsion, but the association took no action.
What was shocking were other comments, most by the challenger, Neil Marks. He spoke of a voters’ list. Traditionally, lists were only revealed on the day of the election. Mr. Marks as a former president of the body knew this. But it became an issue.
In my three decades as a member, the media entity would submit the names of the reporters seeking membership. The media house then paid the subscriptions by deducting the money from the reporters’ salaries.
The constitution stipulates that if dues lapse by six months then that reporter ceases to be a member. People did not go to the executive at elections time to pay subscriptions to be allowed to vote. When this stopped, I am not certain so it was left to every Tom, Dick and Harrylall to present himself or herself to the association to seek membership and mainly at elections.
Indeed, there had to be an investigation because unlike the case when the Department of Public Information issued media passes to drivers and cleaners, the association needed to ensure that those seeking membership were bona fide reporters.
And there is a definition for reporters—I see many, if not all, being referred to as journalists. There is a definition. It includes people involved in cinematography.
Mr. Marks complained, “I immediately recognised and pointed out how the list was padded – a Bollywood show producer, a control operator, a media manager.” These all qualify to be members. He spoke about former editors voting. Surely, that could not include me. He was almost a no-show when the votes for president were counted. And that must have hurt him.
St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, in the wake of the 2020 elections, told President David Granger to take his licks like a man. I would like to say the same to Mr. Marks.
