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UK based bridge building company Mabey and Johnson has declined to comment on the possibility of being dragged into court by former Transport and Works Junior Minister, Joseph Hibbert. Wednesday, Mr. Hibbert's lawyer, Ernest Smith, threatened to file a suit against the company unless it disclosed the identity of any Jamaican involved in the ongoing bribery saga.
When RJR News on Thursday contacted Mabey and Johnson for a scheduled interview, the company's spokesman, Jon McLeod, stated that in view of Mr. Smith's remarks on RJR News he was not prepared to have dialogue with the media.
Mr. McLeod said all the relevant facts will be disclosed by the prosecution at the sentencing hearing.
When asked directly to name any Jamaican involved Mr. McLeod argued that the case is half way through the judicial process and he could not engage in any such discussions.
He pointed out that if any organisation could move in that direction at this time it would have to be the Serious Fraud Ofice (SFO).
RJR News proceeded to contact the SFO which also declined to provide a name or names.
In the meantime, the preliminary court hearing initially scheduled for Friday has been adjourned until Monday, August 10.
This is due to the unavailability of barristers on the day.
Sentencing in the case is not likely to be heard until much later in the year.
Last Friday, Mabey and Johsnon pleaded guilty to bribing public officials in Jamaica and Ghana, in a bid to win bridge-building contracts.
The offences took place in the 1990s at which time Mr. Hibbert was the Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Transport and Works.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/19851/26/
When RJR News on Thursday contacted Mabey and Johnson for a scheduled interview, the company's spokesman, Jon McLeod, stated that in view of Mr. Smith's remarks on RJR News he was not prepared to have dialogue with the media.
Mr. McLeod said all the relevant facts will be disclosed by the prosecution at the sentencing hearing.
When asked directly to name any Jamaican involved Mr. McLeod argued that the case is half way through the judicial process and he could not engage in any such discussions.
He pointed out that if any organisation could move in that direction at this time it would have to be the Serious Fraud Ofice (SFO).
RJR News proceeded to contact the SFO which also declined to provide a name or names.
In the meantime, the preliminary court hearing initially scheduled for Friday has been adjourned until Monday, August 10.
This is due to the unavailability of barristers on the day.
Sentencing in the case is not likely to be heard until much later in the year.
Last Friday, Mabey and Johsnon pleaded guilty to bribing public officials in Jamaica and Ghana, in a bid to win bridge-building contracts.
The offences took place in the 1990s at which time Mr. Hibbert was the Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Transport and Works.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/19851/26/