Sacked Magistrate appointed as Legal Adviser to Ministry of Presidency
By Fareeza Haniff
Geeta Chandan – Edmond
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Former Magistrate, Geeta Chandan – Edmond, who was dismissed by the Judicial Services Commission under the former PPP government, has been appointed as a Legal Adviser to the Ministry of the Presidency.
iNews has confirmed that Chandan – Edmond commenced work at the Ministry on Tuesday, July 07 and will be assisting the government with its Assets Recovery Programme.
She also accompanied Minister of State, Joseph Harmon to the One Laptop Per Family Office on Wednesday, July 08. After she was dismissed of her magisterial duties, Chandan – Edmond and her husband both endorsed the APNU+AFC during the elections campaign.
Chandan – Edmond was dismissed on February 20, 2015 – the same day she was scheduled to sentence Sam Hinds Jr. – the son of then Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, after he was found guilty of unlawful wounding on February 06.
The former Magistrate was made to answer several allegations by the JSC, dating back to some six years. The allegations include her absence from a Magistrates’ meeting, medical leave during the period 5 – 7th June, 2013, absence of record due to sick leave, inability to deliver a decision in at least 19 matters, loss of minutes book, failure to respond to queries by immediate functional supervisor, the Chief Magistrate and departure from Guyana on January 20, 2013 without approval and a consequential absence from a magisterial engagement.
But the former Magistrate justified each allegation during appearance before the Judicial Services Commission. Many believed that her dismissal was politically motivated.
