The decision of Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly to dismiss the misconduct in public office charges against former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan will be challenged says, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.
Jordan was recently acquitted of a charge of misconduct in public office, which accused him of selling state property at a significantly lower value to BK Marines Inc. The former minister who was charged in December 2021 and granted bail in the amount of $3 million did not have to enter a plea to the indictable charge, which alleged that during his tenure as Finance Minister, he willfully conducted himself in a reckless manner by signing a NICIL order that transferred over 2.553 acres of land situated at North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, to BK Marines Inc. for a sum of $20,260,276. The property was valued at over $5 billion and was deemed to have been sold at a grossly undervalued price.
During a press conference on Thursday, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo expressed surprise that the Magistrate refrained from issuing a ruling coinciding with the Chief Justice’s decision, which in accordance with the constitution, recognized the former Finance Minister as a ‘public officer.’ He highlighted the striking similarities between the two cases in terms of facts and legal aspects, emphasizing that Magistrate Daly erred in law by disregarding the ruling of the Chief Justice. Dr. Jagdeo also stressed the importance of adherence to legal precedents set by higher courts, suggesting the existence of disparate criteria employed in the judgment process, which should not be the case.
In addition, the Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall has also criticized the Magistrate’s ruling, stating that it was based on an “erroneous” interpretation of the law. According to Nandlall, the Magistrate concluded that as Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan did not qualify as a Public Officer, a critical element in the offense. This Nandlall said is was a fundamental and glaring error, which has raised significant public concerns and has the potential to undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.
