Prominent chartered accountant and attorney-at-law Christopher Ram has strongly rejected what he describes as a false and defamatory allegation made by Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, SC, regarding the financing of a legal challenge to Guyana’s Constitution. In a public statement issued Wednesday, June 18, Ram accused the AG of irresponsibly spreading unverified claims and failing to uphold the integrity expected of the country’s chief legal officer.
The controversy centers on a video in which AG Nandlall responded to a column written by Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran, head of the long-standing law firm Cameron and Shepherd. In the video, Nandlall alleged that the column was an attempt by Ramkarran to “distance his law firm” from legal proceedings that the AG claimed were “being financed by a political presidential aspirant.”
Ram, who retained Kamal Ramkarran—Ralph Ramkarran’s son—as legal counsel in a case challenging Article 160(2)(a) of the Constitution, refuted the AG’s claim in the strongest terms. “I contacted the AG to inform him that his allegation about the financing of the proceedings was false and challenged him to provide us with the information or issue a retraction and apology,” Ram said. “The AG subsequently issued what can only be described as a non-statement.”
Instead of presenting evidence or issuing a retraction, Ram noted that Nandlall attempted to justify his remarks by claiming he was simply repeating information “already being publicly peddled” on social media. Ram was unequivocal in his criticism: “If he is basing official statements on unverified social media posts and rumours, this speaks to a fundamental failure in his duties as the nation’s chief legal officer.”
Calling the AG’s conduct “reckless” and “profoundly disappointing,” Ram warned that such behaviour undermines public trust in Guyana’s legal system. “His refusal to accept accountability when challenged sets a dangerous example that erodes public confidence in our legal institutions,” Ram stated.
He also took the opportunity to apologise to both Ralph and Kamal Ramkarran, expressing regret for the “embarrassment and pain” caused by the AG’s remarks. “The best vindication is honour, truth, and justice. It will come their way,” he concluded.
