OCG wants Danville Walker criminally charged

[Sir X]

Proud a unnuh now deal wid the DPP & the OCG (Mix up ) advocate for prosecutorial powers, here is an idea.

Have two governmental bodies with the power to investigate corruption.The DPP & the OCG , be it that if one body is investigating a matter the other cannot until the investigation is complete.

Competition is healthy.They can even investigate each other..checks and balances mi say.

1st world mi say.Corruption wipe out .Penalties have to fit the crime a man caan tief a million dollars and get fine 4 loaf a bread or 12 us.

[Mosiah]

OCG wants the DPP to criminally charge Walker


Danville Walker, former Commissioner of Customs (L) & Greg Christie, Contractor General.
The Office of the Contractor General (OCG) has referred Danville Walker, the former Commissioner of Customs, to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for criminal charges.

This is the latest in the OCG's investigation into the alleged illegal exports of scrap metal by the Customs Department.

Mr. Walker, who was the head of Customs during the period of the alleged illegal scrap metal export, resigned last month to represent the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the Central Manchester constituency.

The OCG now wants Mr. Walker charged for obstructing its investigation of the matter and for his failure to first secure the requisite Government licences or authorizations.

And Greg Christie, the Contractor General, is confident that based on the landmark decision handed down in the recent Patrick Wong case, its referrals to the DPP in this matter are well founded.

The OCG said Mr. Walker received a request dated November 18, for him to provide by 3:00 p.m. on December 2, written answers to a series of specific questions posed to him.

However according to the OCG, despite receiving two additional extensions on December 9 and Wednesday [December 15] to comply with its requisition and despite his receipt of four letters, which warned him of the potential for criminal prosecution, Mr. Walker either failed and/or refused to comply with the OCG’s requirements.

In his first of two written responses to the OCG, dated November 29, Mr. Walker through his attorneys, questioned, among other things, whether the OCG had the authority under the Contractor General Act to conduct its Investigation.

In the other, dated November 30, the Contractor General said Mr. Walker, although he appeared to have then implicitly accepted the OCG’s authority to conduct its investigation, openly demonstrated his contempt and disregard for the OCG when he advised through his attorneys that "we will not be frightened by your deadline of December 9, 2011”. If it is convenient for us, we will comply, and if not we will use our options in law to protect our client from any further abuse from your office".

Meanwhile, the OCG said more than 16 persons have so far been formally requisitioned in writing by that office or have been interviewed to provide sworn evidence to assist it in its investigation.

In addition, the OCG said it has carried out unannounced visits to Jamaica Customs and JAMPRO where it has conducted extensive interviews with certain Government officials and employees, and taken into custody several pertinent documents and files.

The OCG said it is very concerned by the un-submissive and seemingly defiant and arrogant stance that has been taken by Mr.Walker.

It further stated that very serious and grave allegations, which have national implications, have been made and they must be addressed.

The OCG said it has also taken note of public statements by Prime Minister Andrew Holness that he is awaiting the Contractor General’s report to determine what executive decisions or actions he will take regarding the alleged illegal exports of scrap metal.

[Sir X]

4 loaf a bread or 12 US ? 1200 JMD

[Mosiah]

We will not be frightened – Walker’s attorneys respond to the OCG

Attorneys for Danville Walker, the former Commissioner of Customs, have responded to the call by the Contractor General for the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge thr Jamaica Labour candidate for Central Manchester for obstructing his office's investigation into the alleged illegal exports of scrap metal by the Customs Department.

The attorneys issued this statement Thursday afternoon.

Statement: Attorneys-at-law, Dr. Lloyd Barnett and Keith Bishop have been instructed to represent Danville Walker in a matter where the Office of Contractor General (OCG) has requested our client to answer specific questions pursuant to an investigation by the OCG on the breach of a Prohibition Order on scrap metal made by the Minister of Industry and Commerce.

We are of the view that there is considerable doubt whether the Contractor General has the jurisdiction to interrogate our client in respect of any shipment of scrap mental.

We note that the OCG has referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions and made it public by way of a press release to the media today. While the OCG has the right to release the information to the press it calls into question the motive of the OCG and whether or not its intent is to embarrass our client in light of his calling and the profession he now pursues.

In letters to the OCG from Keith N. Bishop from as early as the middle of November, he has asked for more time for our client to respond in that our client is not in possession of the files and documents from the Customs Department, which our client must use to refresh his memory or is he in ready contact with personnel from the Customs Department with whom he must consult in order to give the specific answers required by the OCG.

While the Hon. Danville Walker is prepared to answers these many questions with several related questions, our view is that these detailed questions requiring specific answers can only be answered from reviewing the official files and documents from the Custom Departments and other Government Departments and Agencies. Further, the OCG must be reminded that our client’s right to a reasonable time to consult with his Attorneys-at-Law and prepare himself should not be fettered by the haste of the OCG. In fact, the OCG has not made it public that it has been mandated to complete this investigation by any specific time.

We hope this release will help to clarify the matter and ensure that our client’s character and integrity are not tarnished by be OCG.

[Mosiah]

dem usually get arrogant after a few years as an MP. dis one may enter Gordon House arrogance-ready!

[Sir X]

No, but its the obvious card to be played by any M.P , they will make it a political one , 1st and foremost is jurisdriction ? then the politics you are attacking me because its 1st personal and 2nd political.

The third point is simply , the OCG doesnt have prosecutorial powers because the DPP does and they wont do anything about it(DPP).Predicatble behaviour in a corrupt SH*tstem.

The OCG was in New York where he warned us of the same thing , he advocated we get involved and pressure our government to make radical change to fight corruption by judicial governance as he sees it , its at best handicap at worst corrupt like everything else in jamaica by politics.

[Muadib]

Does he have any constitutional rights ?

[Rudi]

Memba what happenned the last time you guys played that card. 'Constitutional rights dont start at Liguanea'. When Labourites talk about rights it usually doesn't end pretty. Scrappy better watch himself.

[Muadib]

mi juss a fallah di trend based on di Trafigura ruling giving the PNP culprits some breathing room..

[Don1]

Memba what happenned the last time you guys played that card. 'Constitutional rights dont start at Liguanea'. When Labourites talk about rights it usually doesn't end pretty. Scrappy better watch himself.

lol

[Don1]

mi juss a fallah di trend based on di Trafigura ruling giving the PNP culprits some breathing room..

Well Scrappy should sally forth to Court and do likewise

[Sickko]

You speak of constitutional rights, tell me which laws were broken in Jamaica...as the sage of all sages, half-man half-horse would say..thanks in advance