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The issue of an administrative conflict of interest in the handling of the extradition request for West Kingston strongman Christopher "Dudus" Coke has again arisen, with concerns being aired about his legal counsel's ties to government.
Attorney-at-law, Ian Wilkinson has asked whose interests are being served by government Senator Tom Tavares Finson, who is also Mr. Coke's lawyer.
"Each person is entitled to the counsel of his choice and Mr. Coke is clearly entitled to have that Senator represent him but is there a conflict? Appearances are very important and there is an apparent conflict on the face of it,' he said.
"Whom do you represent? Do you protect the individual's interest vis-à-vis that of the state? Do the two conflict and on which road do you travel," asked Mr. Wilkinson while speaking on RJR's weekly news review programme That's a Rap! Sunday afternoon.
Tom Tavares-Finson.Mr. Tavares-Finson refused to comment on the matter when asked by RJR News.
Meanwhile, attorney-at-law, Shirley Ann Eaton who was also a guest on That's a Rap! ", questioned the government's stance given constituency links between Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Mr. Coke.
As the holder of the West Kingston seat, the Prime Minister is the Member of Parliament for the Tivoli Gardens community where Mr. Coke resides.
Ms Eaton feels the perception could be that the matter is a personal one for the government.
"Perceptions are important and how your government and your Prime Minister behave is very important to the people generally. There is a conflict of interest.
"Why is the Prime Minister making these statements? Where is the Minister of Justice, where is the Minister of National Security? Justice must not only be done but it must appear to have been done," Ms Eaton said.
The Jamaica Labour Party administration continues to stand firm in its decision not to heed the US extradition request for Mr. Coke.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/25789/26/
Attorney-at-law, Ian Wilkinson has asked whose interests are being served by government Senator Tom Tavares Finson, who is also Mr. Coke's lawyer.
"Each person is entitled to the counsel of his choice and Mr. Coke is clearly entitled to have that Senator represent him but is there a conflict? Appearances are very important and there is an apparent conflict on the face of it,' he said.
"Whom do you represent? Do you protect the individual's interest vis-à-vis that of the state? Do the two conflict and on which road do you travel," asked Mr. Wilkinson while speaking on RJR's weekly news review programme That's a Rap! Sunday afternoon.
Tom Tavares-Finson.Mr. Tavares-Finson refused to comment on the matter when asked by RJR News.
Meanwhile, attorney-at-law, Shirley Ann Eaton who was also a guest on That's a Rap! ", questioned the government's stance given constituency links between Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Mr. Coke.
As the holder of the West Kingston seat, the Prime Minister is the Member of Parliament for the Tivoli Gardens community where Mr. Coke resides.
Ms Eaton feels the perception could be that the matter is a personal one for the government.
"Perceptions are important and how your government and your Prime Minister behave is very important to the people generally. There is a conflict of interest.
"Why is the Prime Minister making these statements? Where is the Minister of Justice, where is the Minister of National Security? Justice must not only be done but it must appear to have been done," Ms Eaton said.
The Jamaica Labour Party administration continues to stand firm in its decision not to heed the US extradition request for Mr. Coke.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/25789/26/
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