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FM
Former Member

Former Minister of Public Service, Jennifer Westford and her former aide, Margaret Cummings, who were accused of stealing over $600M from the State, walked out of the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Friday free women.

Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday ruled in favour of a No Case Submission made by their lawyer, Dexter Todd.

Magistrate Latchman ruled that the 24 charges were β€œbad in law” which was supported with the evidence of the 48 witnesses who were called to testify during the trial.

The Magistrate explained that according to Guyana’s constitution, Westford was a Government Minister and was not a Public Officer.

In his No Case Submission, the lawyer had argued that the prosecution had failed to establish that a criminal offence was committed by Westford or Cummings individually.

Todd had also noted that the prosecution failed to prove that the monies were actually stolen and that it was stolen by the two defendants.

The attorney had argued that the prosecution ignored the lawful meaning of a public officer and proceeded to try a then Minister under an offence which is not established in law.

Westford and Cummings were on trial for the theft of $639,420,000, belonging to the Government of Guyana, between October 19, 2011, and April 28, 2015, while being employed with the former Public Service Ministry.

It is alleged that between 2011 and 2015, Westford signed 24 memoranda, amounting to $639,420,000, and sent them to the Permanent Secretary at the then Office of the President to be signed and approved.

The monies were allegedly requested for activities to be conducted in the various administrative regions.

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PPP scores a major victory here and this proves that allegations against the PPP were sensationalized while they were in office. KN had a personal vendetta against the PPP and did a good job at selling their stories and many bought into it.

The ball is back into the PNC court to prove allegations of PPP theft and corruption. 

A NY Times article highlighted the fact that the PNC is unable to prove their allegations.

Thank god that Guyana’s court system still works. It has to ensure that the election chairman selection process is clarified.

 

FM
Dave posted:
The attorney had argued that the prosecution ignored the lawful meaning of a public officer and proceeded to try a then Minister under an offence which is not established in law.

The courts in Guyana seem to have some strange rulings. The women were not found guilty of not stealing the money, but for the claim that they were not public officers. Very odd ruling. 

Mr.T
Mr.T posted:
Dave posted:
The attorney had argued that the prosecution ignored the lawful meaning of a public officer and proceeded to try a then Minister under an offence which is not established in law.

The courts in Guyana seem to have some strange rulings. The women were not found guilty of not stealing the money, but for the claim that they were not public officers. Very odd ruling. 

So is the British system. 

I believe Canada justice system is the same as UK. 

A Canadian judge throws out a first- degree murder case because the accused  trial, was delay under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

FM
Mr.T posted:
Dave posted:
The attorney had argued that the prosecution ignored the lawful meaning of a public officer and proceeded to try a then Minister under an offence which is not established in law.

The courts in Guyana seem to have some strange rulings. The women were not found guilty of not stealing the money, but for the claim that they were not public officers. Very odd ruling. 

Judy making some strange ruling lately.Anyway let justice prevail.

Django

DJ, the courts have spoke and have proven that all of these trumped up charges and allegations are what they are, allegations and baseless.

Short man’s case will also be thrown out. The deck of cards will fall on these PNC trumped up allegations. 

Let democracy and independence of the courts continue. Time for the courts to rule on the Chairman of GECOM.

Time to crack down on AFC thieves. 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Django posted:
Mr.T posted:
Dave posted:
The attorney had argued that the prosecution ignored the lawful meaning of a public officer and proceeded to try a then Minister under an offence which is not established in law.

The courts in Guyana seem to have some strange rulings. The women were not found guilty of not stealing the money, but for the claim that they were not public officers. Very odd ruling. 

Judy making some strange ruling lately.Anyway let justice prevail.

What you trying to say... you quote the woman name follow through with your comments nah. PPP is NOT the government 

Yes β€œ a justice prevail” .. what else yo want . Go help them beat a drum at cuffy square. 

FM
Dave posted:
Django posted:
Mr.T posted:
Dave posted:
The attorney had argued that the prosecution ignored the lawful meaning of a public officer and proceeded to try a then Minister under an offence which is not established in law.

The courts in Guyana seem to have some strange rulings. The women were not found guilty of not stealing the money, but for the claim that they were not public officers. Very odd ruling. 

Judy making some strange ruling lately.Anyway let justice prevail.

What you trying to say... you quote the woman name follow through with your comments nah. PPP is NOT the government 

Yes β€œ a justice prevail” .. what else yo want . Go help them beat a drum at cuffy square. 

Bhai,check the ruling on some recent cases,you will get an idea what i am talking about.

Django
Django posted:
Dave posted:
Django posted:
Mr.T posted:
Dave posted:
The attorney had argued that the prosecution ignored the lawful meaning of a public officer and proceeded to try a then Minister under an offence which is not established in law.

The courts in Guyana seem to have some strange rulings. The women were not found guilty of not stealing the money, but for the claim that they were not public officers. Very odd ruling. 

Judy making some strange ruling lately.Anyway let justice prevail.

What you trying to say... you quote the woman name follow through with your comments nah. PPP is NOT the government 

Yes β€œ a justice prevail” .. what else yo want . Go help them beat a drum at cuffy square. 

Bhai,check the ruling on some recent cases,you will get an idea what i am talking about.

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FM
Gilbakka posted:

This is great news for PPP supporters. When will SOCU and SARA bring on more "bad in law" charges against other PPP ministers? Ashni Singh's case will be dismissed too.

Precedence is now established. A lot of cases will be thrown out. You hit the nail on the head regarding Socu and Sara.

The PPP can capitalize and shake the monkey off their backs. 

The next presidential candidate has lots of good things going for him or her. 

FM

The Magistrate explained that according to Guyana’s constitution, Westford was a Government Minister and was not a Public Officer.

Government Ministers are above the law. The laws have to be changed and grand fathered for SOCU or SARA to be successful in it's prosecution.

Ashni will be freed but Brassington was not a member of parliament.  

 

Mitwah
Mitwah posted:

The Magistrate explained that according to Guyana’s constitution, Westford was a Government Minister and was not a Public Officer.

Government Ministers are above the law. The laws have to be changed and grand fathered for SOCU or SARA to be successful in it's prosecution.

Ashni will be freed but Brassington was not a member of parliament.  

 

Mr lawyer I will neva hire you... is that how you interpret the magistrate ruling.

Banna na fallow Guyana esteem attorney general, he will stray you away. 

Mit, the prosecutor fail to provide evidence. 

Guyana police uses slate to record evidence on investigation ... bhai that 4M bail is divided amongs them brilliant cop.

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Mr.T posted:

How come that ministers are above the law? Where is that stated in the constitution? Guyana would be the only country in the western world with such an exemption.

Nah follow people, do you research. Is that how you want open million dollar business in Guyana.... and one advise, make sure you in Guyana to run and manage you businesss... I en gat to tell you more, yo hand de bun once by family fo a land... a you tell abye on this site. Good luck .

FM

At the end of the day, the PPP will use this ruling to hammer away at the AFC during LGE. 

President Granger is pressuring them and the PPP will hammer away at the lack of proof of allegations of corruption.

It would be interesting to see how the AFC does at LGE. The AFC can no longer hang on to Grangers coat tail. 

The PPP and PNC will be the big winners at LGE. The knives and forks would be openly used at Congress Place after LGE to carve the AFC. Carib was correct about the knives and forks. 

Politics is funny business. Moses kicked the PPP in a place that hurts and now the PPP will return the favour. 

Granger is grinning from ear to ear.

I am loving all of this political drama as it unfolds.

FM
Dave posted:
Mr.T posted:

How come that ministers are above the law? Where is that stated in the constitution? Guyana would be the only country in the western world with such an exemption.

Nah follow people, do you research. Is that how you want open million dollar business in Guyana.... and one advise, make sure you in Guyana to run and manage you businesss... I en gat to tell you more, yo hand de bun once by family fo a land... a you tell abye on this site. Good luck .

Good advice.  

Bibi Haniffa
Django posted:
Mr.T posted:
Dave posted:
The attorney had argued that the prosecution ignored the lawful meaning of a public officer and proceeded to try a then Minister under an offence which is not established in law.

The courts in Guyana seem to have some strange rulings. The women were not found guilty of not stealing the money, but for the claim that they were not public officers. Very odd ruling. 

Judy making some strange ruling lately.Anyway let justice prevail.

Would this have been a brilliant decision if the two members were PNC card carrying thugs?

FM
Mr.T posted:

And it's all judges appointed under the PPP who are acquitting these PPP criminals. Is only PNC criminals get locked up, unless it is a case of murder.

JACKASS, stop writing rubbish because you are evidently nothing but a dunce k-k-hole; completely ignorant of the process by which courts of law function ! Convictions have to be supported by evidence; clear and incontrovertible evidence and in this case there was either none or the evidence presented by the prosecutor was inadequate/inconclusive. Do remember that it is better to keep your trap shut and let others think you are an ass than to open it and remove all doubt ! Can you confirm that the judge in this case was appointed by the PPP and that the ruling  was a consequence of his/her appointment ? What about judges who were appointed during the tenure of the big KaKa Burnham ?

K
Last edited by Keffer
Keffer posted:
Mr.T posted:

And it's all judges appointed under the PPP who are acquitting these PPP criminals. Is only PNC criminals get locked up, unless it is a case of murder.

JACKASS, stop writing rubbish because you are evidently nothing but a dunce k-k-hole; completely ignorant of the process by which courts of law function !

I see the half cow, half human show up.

Mr.T
Mr.T posted:
Keffer posted:
Mr.T posted:

And it's all judges appointed under the PPP who are acquitting these PPP criminals. Is only PNC criminals get locked up, unless it is a case of murder.

JACKASS, stop writing rubbish because you are evidently nothing but a dunce k-k-hole; completely ignorant of the process by which courts of law function !

I see the half cow, half human show up.

Then close your eyes, crawl back into your hole and hibernate again .... for a loooong time !

K
Keffer posted:
Mr.T posted:
Keffer posted:
Mr.T posted:

And it's all judges appointed under the PPP who are acquitting these PPP criminals. Is only PNC criminals get locked up, unless it is a case of murder.

JACKASS, stop writing rubbish because you are evidently nothing but a dunce k-k-hole; completely ignorant of the process by which courts of law function !

I see the half cow, half human show up.

Then close your eyes, crawl back into your hole and hibernate again .... for a loooong time !

Is why you get a hard on every time you see me on GNI?

Mr.T
Mr.T posted:
Keffer posted:
Mr.T posted:

And it's all judges appointed under the PPP who are acquitting these PPP criminals. Is only PNC criminals get locked up, unless it is a case of murder.

JACKASS, stop writing rubbish because you are evidently nothing but a dunce k-k-hole; completely ignorant of the process by which courts of law function !

I see the half cow, half human show up.

Then you are evidently on something ....you need help; psychiatric help !

K

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