Incoming lead parliamentarian for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Dr. Terrence Campbell, has strongly condemned what he described as the “forced departure” of acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mrs. Yonette Cummings-Edwards, saying it represents “a grave threat to the independence of the judiciary in Guyana.”
In a public statement, Dr. Campbell called on all Guyanese to “rise above partisanship and condemn the actions of the PPP government in driving Ms. Cummings-Edwards from office.” He asserted that “it is clear that the PPP never forgave her for her decision in the no confidence case.” In March 2019, she was one of two appellate justices who ruled that the 2018 No-Confidence Vote was invalid.
Cummings-Edwards returned to work on Wednesday, October 22, after being on leave. However, on Friday, October 24, to the surprise of the bench, bar, and wider society, President Irfaan Ali announced that she had proceeded on early retirement.
Sources indicate that she was pressured to leave by the government and was offered the option to return to her substantive post as an appellate judge. Cummings-Edwards was appointed Acting Chief Justice in December 2015 and Acting Chancellor in March 2017.
Dr. Campbell alleged that a crisis was triggered following the Chancellor’s return from leave when “Justices George and Singh should have reverted to their previous positions.” He claimed that “Justice Singh was unwilling to do so,” adding that “this crisis should have been swiftly brought to an end with the revocation of Justice Singh’s appointment.”
“Instead, the government applauded his apparent disrespect by forcing the Chancellor (ag) into premature retirement,” Campbell stated. “It is my considered opinion that the actions of Justice Singh were premeditated and part of a wider conspiracy to remove the Chancellor (ag). I take this opportunity to condemn the actions of both the PPP government and Justice Singh.”
The APNU parliamentarian also raised questions about Justice Singh’s conduct and suitability for the role of acting Chief Justice. “Justice Singh has had a chequered history in and out of the courtroom,” he said. “In fact, he was once the subject of private criminal charges for a road rage incident.” The incident occurred on April 12, 2016 at Camp Street, Georgetown, where Justice Singh was alleged to have used threatening language, obstructed traffic, and targeted the driver of a grey car.
“The allegations in those charges were similar to other road rage incidents involving Justice Singh, including one where I was forced to intervene,” the incoming parliamentarian asserted
Campbell continued, “Justice Singh was also once accused of intimidating the Deputy Principal of Queen’s College. Last, the Appeal Court has had cause to reduce, on several occasions, excessive sentences imposed by Justice Singh. I believe that Justice Singh was not fit for elevation to the office of Chief Justice (ag). The reports about his refusal to vacate the office of Chief Justice on the return of Justice Cummings-Edwards reinforce my belief.”
He called on President Irfaan Ali to revoke Justice Singh’s appointment as acting Chief Justice, stating, “To retain him in this position would be an endorsement of bullyism, an affront to all women and, indeed, all Guyanese.”
Dr. Campbell also linked the situation to the long-standing issue of acting judicial appointments in Guyana. “For decades, many individuals and organisations, including the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), have bemoaned the non-confirmation of the top judicial officers in Guyana,” he said.
“Security of tenure for our judicial officers is critical to an independent judiciary. The PPP administration has used acting appointments in the judiciary and elsewhere as a sword of Damocles to ensure decision-making favourable to the government. That sword was dropped on Justice Cummings-Edwards, thus confirming the exact fears of the CCJ and many law-abiding Guyanese.”
Dr. Campbell warned that “it is now entirely within the realm of possibility that Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire might be next for the early retirement chopping block.” He concluded by urging an end to temporary judicial appointments, saying, “It is time for this practice of acting appointments in the judiciary to come to a swift end.”
No official reason has been provided by the government for the Chancellor’s early departure.
