Very disturbing!
That’s the way Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley described his view on hearing that nine former murder accused in the Vindra Naipaul-Coolman case, were each awarded $2.1 million in damages due to a failure by the State to file a defence in their malicious prosecution matter.
Speaking to members of the media on Tuesday, Rowley said just like the nation, he too wanted an explanation from the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs. He said the Cabinet has no role in court proceedings but, like the public, follows the matters made public.
He said: “I have seen the news. It is very disturbing, and as a result, I too, am waiting to hear what the office of the Attorney General has to say tomorrow (today),” Rowley said, referring to a media conference to be held on the matter by the Office of the Attorney General today. “Clearly, this is an unsatisfactory situation, and I am waiting to hear what the facts are, but this is not what one expects in situations like these.”
The nine men filed the lawsuit almost four years after they were freed of the charges in late May 2016.
However, the Office of the Attorney General entered an appearance in the case but failed to defend it, leading the group’s legal team, led by Anand Ramlogan SC, to successfully obtain a default judgement against it in January 2021.
COMMENTS