Former Junior Public Infrastructure Minister, Jaipaul Sharma has issued an apology to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. This is following accusations he made on Facebook, that the AG’s law firm was involved in a land giveaway conspiracy during the previous PPP/C government. Sharma says his apology was made out of fear for his safety, but Nandlall contends that that too is slanderous and will be part of a lawsuit.
Sharma made statements about Nandlall’s private law firm on November 17, 2020. The AG denied the allegations and had asked Sharma to issue an apology or face legal actions. But Sharma refused, prompting Nandlall to move to the court.
Nandlall is seeking orders compelling Sharma to apologise and remove the post within seven days of the court orders. The AG is also seeking an injunction against publishing any similar libel.
But Sharma, yesterday, posted that men in “heavily tinted black vehicles” were visiting his home and taking pictures of his premises. He claimed that Nandlall was committing “State Sponsored Terrorism” against his family. Further Sharma said his worker saw men in “bulletproof vests and long guns” in a vehicle that visited his home earlier this week. Nandlall said that those assertions will be included into the libel case, as such claims of gunmen constitute further vilification.
Earlier today, Sharma apologised on Facebook to Nandlall.
The post read: “My family called a meeting, and the consensus was that I apologise to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Guyana MOHABIR. A. NANDLALL on Facebook and to close my Facebook Account. My family all say that they are concern for my safety, and they do not want a Die-Hard Christmas but a Merry Christmas. I had to agree with them, since I was outnumbered and since I believe in democracy. I therefore issue an apology to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Guyana MOHABIR. A. NANDLALL. In addition, I will close my Facebook account after 5 day of this post during which period I will not make any further post about the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Guyana MOHABIR. A. NANDLALL, if he discontinue [sic] with his legal action against me.”
Nandlall told Guyana Standard today that Sharma’s apology and his insinuation that his safety is in jeopardy will also form part of the case.
He said that he has already placed the matter in the hands of his lawyer, and that it will “take its normal course”. Nandlall said that the court will take into consideration “all” of Sharma’s publications, including his apology and the premise of same.
“The court will look at it, and examine it to whatever the effects are, and that will be taken into consideration as to the quantum of damages that will be sought,” the AG said.
