People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Executive Member, Aubrey Norton is of the opinion that the Director of Public Prosecution, Bibi Shalimar Ali-Hack committed a grave error by discontinuing charges against Anil Nandlall – now Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs – for the alleged theft of lawbooks purportedly belonging to the State.
Norton argued Ali-Hack found that there was sufficient evidence to institute charges against Nandlall back in 2017, but following the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s victory at the March 2 polls, he finds it ‘odd’ that the charges were dropped when Nandlall became Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister.
Given the state of affairs, the PNCR Executive is surmising that the DPP – an independent, Constitutional office holder – is taking directions from the Executive.
“Let us look at an issue as simple as the law books, which it was alleged that a man would have stolen the lawbooks. This information was sent to the DPP. The DPP recommended charges, and then once this regime comes into power, what it did was to just give the instructions and the charges were dropped. The DPP owes this country an explanation because it was the DPP that [sic] said that there was enough evidence there,” he said.
Norton further stated that a magistrate also found that there was sufficient evidence and that the matter should go to trial.
The politician’s argument comes one day after his colleague, Member of Parliament (MP), Roysdale Forde S.C. revealed that alternatives are being contemplated to have a reversal of the DPP’s decision.
Nandlall was charged for fraudulently converting 14 Commonwealth Law Reports – property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs and valued at over $2.3M, to his own use and benefit. Following the withdrawal of the charge, Nandlall stated publicly that he feels vindicated, while maintaining that the charges were “trumped-up” and politically motivated.
