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Justice Minister could face Manatt enquiry today
2011-03-02 08:49:30 | (0 Comments)
Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne -Barbara Ellington/Photo
Damion Mitchell, News Editor
The Justice Minister and Attorney General, Dorothy Lightbourne is on standby to take the stand at the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry today.
The minister’s appearance will be dependent on whether former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) general secretary, Karl Samuda completes his testimony today.
Samuda is to be cross examined on a statement he had issued in the height of the controversy over the employment of US [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]law [COLOR=blue !important]firm[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] Manatt, Phelps and Phillips to block the extradition request for alleged crime lord Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.
The justice minister is said to have been a key figure in the decision to hire the firm.
The Government has maintained that it was the Jamaica Labour Party which hired the firm.
However, Manatt insists that it was working for the Government of Jamaica through attorney Harold Brady.
Yesterday, Commission Chairman Emil George said he had written to Manatt, requesting that a representative of the firm give evidence before the commission.
However, George says Manatt responded claiming that attorney/client privileges and the principles of confidentiality prevent it from giving testimony.
According to George, the firm insists that it was representing the Jamaican Government and that it does not have the permission to testify.
2011-03-02 08:49:30 | (0 Comments)
Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne -Barbara Ellington/Photo
Damion Mitchell, News Editor
The Justice Minister and Attorney General, Dorothy Lightbourne is on standby to take the stand at the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry today.
The minister’s appearance will be dependent on whether former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) general secretary, Karl Samuda completes his testimony today.
Samuda is to be cross examined on a statement he had issued in the height of the controversy over the employment of US [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]law [COLOR=blue !important]firm[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] Manatt, Phelps and Phillips to block the extradition request for alleged crime lord Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.
The justice minister is said to have been a key figure in the decision to hire the firm.
The Government has maintained that it was the Jamaica Labour Party which hired the firm.
However, Manatt insists that it was working for the Government of Jamaica through attorney Harold Brady.
Yesterday, Commission Chairman Emil George said he had written to Manatt, requesting that a representative of the firm give evidence before the commission.
However, George says Manatt responded claiming that attorney/client privileges and the principles of confidentiality prevent it from giving testimony.
According to George, the firm insists that it was representing the Jamaican Government and that it does not have the permission to testify.
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