By Mark DaCosta-In a legal victory for Member of Parliament David Patterson, the Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), the High Court has ruled that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) unlawfully prevented him from leaving the country more than a year ago. The court awarded Patterson GY$1.2 million.
The case stems from an incident in September 2023 when Patterson, who was at the time facing charges of indecent exposure, was prevented from leaving Guyana to attend a meeting with American congressmen. The meeting was to discuss the political and economic climate in our nation. Patterson, who had served as Minister of Public Infrastructure under the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government, had been on court bail for the indecent exposure charges at the time.
According to Patterson’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes, the Chief Justice of the High Court, Roxane George-Wiltshire S.C, ruled that the Guyana Police Force’s actions were unlawful. As a result, the court ordered the state to pay GY$1.2 million in damages to Patterson. In addition, the State was also instructed to cover GY$250,000 in legal fees for Patterson’s counsel.
The ruling came after a lengthy legal battle, during which Patterson contended that his rights had been violated by the GPF’s decision to block his travel. The incident in question took place at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where Patterson was stopped from boarding his flight to the United States. The police argued that his travel restrictions were tied to the ongoing criminal case against him. However, Patterson maintained that the real motive behind the move was political in nature, an assertion he reinforced throughout the proceedings.
Patterson, who has often been a target of verbal attacks from members of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), including derogatory remarks by General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, maintained that the state’s actions were designed to hinder his political activities. The PPP has frequently disparaged Patterson, referring to him with inflammatory labels.
In response to the court’s decision, Patterson expressed his expectation that the government would seek to appeal the ruling.
The background of the case are as follows: In July 2023, Patterson was charged with three counts related to indecent exposure and causing a public disturbance. He appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, where the charges were read to him. After being granted bail, Patterson’s legal team, led by Nigel Hughes, made clear their intention to vigorously defend him.
The case came to a conclusion in February 2024, when Patterson was acquitted of all charges. Magistrate Dylon Bess, presiding over the final hearing, found Patterson not guilty of indecent exposure or any related offenses. The acquittal cleared Patterson’s name and brought an end to a case that had dragged on for several months.
Patterson’s legal battles, both with the police and in the courtroom, have occurred against the backdrop of the ongoing political rivalry between the APNU+AFC and the PPP. Patterson, a vocal critic of the PPP government, has been allegedly targeted by political adversaries within the ruling party, which has reportedly used both legal and extrajudicial means to challenge opposition figures.
As the matter moves forward, with the state likely to appeal the decision, it is clear that Patterson’s victory in the High Court has further fuelled the political discourse surrounding the relationship between the state and opposition figures.
