By GHK Lall- I have heard about a hanging judge. From readings, I know about travelling judges. There’s familiarity with governing judges better known as Administrative Law Judges. Thanks to the leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Mr. Aubrey Norton, I now have my first exposure to an intruding judge.
As I thank CCJ President Winston Anderson for his interests in Guyana’s business, and his helping hand, how did he find
the time to get anything done at the CCJ? Something of quality. Sure, what he did was something of value. I can hear Guyanese-born Mark Holder crooning away. What I can’t understand is how a Jamaican-born judge allowed himself to get embroiled in Guyana’s never less than brutish affairs. In attempting to be a judge for all seasons, he should have remembered Sir Thomas More, the original man for all seasons. Look what happened to him.
It is said that no good deed goes unpunished. Now, Justice Anderson is hearing just that, as he is forced to relive his ill-advised foray into Guyana’s politics. There is the lash of disbelief. Surely, Justice Anderson is wise enough, had to know, that was a lose-lose proposition.
For him. Without going into the details of Mr. Norton’s revelations (more expressive on this occasion), it seems that Justice Anderson took it upon himself, or was engaged by the PPP Govt, to function as a one-man Judicial Service Commission. Not in Jamaica where he was born. Not in Trinidad where he operates. But in Guyana, where he has little business. Or does he?
Considering the disclosures emerging from his five CCJ colleagues, with a thrust in the direction of the Azruddin Mohamed extradition case, and now this elaboration from Mr. Norton, question naturally arise re the scales of justice in the CCJ? Guyanese have heard a word before relative to a court matter in the local environment, which left them shaken and queasy. It was uttered by a noble American who was bold enough (and confident enough) to speak with assurance of a guarantee. These things are too sophisticated, too complex, for a man with a head as small as mine. But there was Justice Amderson acting in the capacity of unpaid adviser, roving solicitor, and his version of shuttle diplomacy.
Back and forth, back and forth. Between Pres Ali and the APNU head, Mr. Norton. A wee bit unbecoming for a CCJ President, so I think. Phone call after phone call, as though he had shares in AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. If nothing else, Justice Anderson must be recognized: a bundle of energy, a real dynamo. It looks bad. It smells bad. Personally speaking, Justice Anderson appears to be too tight with the PPP Govt.
I cannot say what was in Pres Ali’s head, nor what was in Justice Anderson’s head at the time of the Yonette Cummings-Edwards shocker. I can only share what is in my head. This whole affair did not coat Pres Ali nor President Anderson in a blaze of glory. Frankly, it leaves a terrible taste. Pres Ali shouldn’t have involved the judge. For his part, Justice Anderson had to decline politely any invitation. This raises another question. Was he invited or did he volunteer? See what I mean when I spoke of complications and being over my head?
The one participant in this political-judicial trio that conducted himself with aplomb and astuteness has to be Mr. Aubrey Norton of the APNU. Do not bring that here! Get that dead cat out of here! Clearly, the PPP Govt was that desperate, it would do anything to overcome the senior judicial appointments chokepoint. The problem is Justice Anderson allowed himself to be ensnared, probably with the best of intentions, only to have egg on his face and shirtfront. It may not be a fresh egg.
Is it only Guyana where matters reach this state? I’m beginning to doubt my sanity. Then again, I remember how dirty Guyana is, despite the oil gloss. Perhaps, that also had a sponsorship role in this soap opera. Summation: Justice Anderson should have erred on the side of caution. Thanks, but no thanks.
