Tweet
The Manatt-Dudus Commission of Inquiry has ruled that Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s involvement in the extradition saga involving West Kingston drug kingpin Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke was ‘inappropriate’.
“(Golding) should have distanced himself completely from the matter. His failure to do this led to the unfortunate suspicion that he was protecting an alleged narcotics dealer and drug smuggler,” the report said.
The report, which was tabled today in Parliament, also said that Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) should not have been involved in the Coke extradition situation, and to the extent it was “there may have been inappropriate commingling”.
“We feel that it was an unfortunate mistake because it fueled suggestions that the move was made to protect Mr. Coke because he was an important man to the JLP," the report said.
The report, which was 58 pages long, gave four general recommendations.
The recommendations are:
1 The posts of Minister of Justice and Attorney General should be split; the Attorney General need not be a member of either House.
2 The Cabinet should be informed of any amendments or memoranda affecting constitutional rights.
3 Commissioners of inquiry should be given the powers of a Supreme Court Judge for the purpose of being able to cite for contempt.
4 The inquiries Act should provide that commissioners can state a case for the opinion of the Supreme Court in matters of law.
The report was finalised after two months of testimonies from several politicians and civil servants.
The report has not found any one criminally liable for the events surrounding the extradition of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.
That saga held Jamaica captive for over nine months, ending in a manhunt for Coke who escaped a security incursion directed at him in West Kingston.
At least 73 persons were killed in the incursion.
“(Golding) should have distanced himself completely from the matter. His failure to do this led to the unfortunate suspicion that he was protecting an alleged narcotics dealer and drug smuggler,” the report said.
The report, which was tabled today in Parliament, also said that Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) should not have been involved in the Coke extradition situation, and to the extent it was “there may have been inappropriate commingling”.
“We feel that it was an unfortunate mistake because it fueled suggestions that the move was made to protect Mr. Coke because he was an important man to the JLP," the report said.
The report, which was 58 pages long, gave four general recommendations.
The recommendations are:
1 The posts of Minister of Justice and Attorney General should be split; the Attorney General need not be a member of either House.
2 The Cabinet should be informed of any amendments or memoranda affecting constitutional rights.
3 Commissioners of inquiry should be given the powers of a Supreme Court Judge for the purpose of being able to cite for contempt.
4 The inquiries Act should provide that commissioners can state a case for the opinion of the Supreme Court in matters of law.
The report was finalised after two months of testimonies from several politicians and civil servants.
The report has not found any one criminally liable for the events surrounding the extradition of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.
That saga held Jamaica captive for over nine months, ending in a manhunt for Coke who escaped a security incursion directed at him in West Kingston.
At least 73 persons were killed in the incursion.
Comment