By Abena Rockcliffe
Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton may find himself in a $5M hole if Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapa is vindicated in the courts. Guyana Standard understands that Mustapha, represented by the learned Sanjeev Datadin and Khalid Gobin, has sued Norton over “false” allegations he made last December. Norton is being sued in his personal capacity and as opposition leader.
In a writ seen by Guyana Standard, Mustapha laments that Norton defamed his good name before an audience of no less than 134,000. He said that Norton published or caused to be published information that was false on a Facebook page operated by APNU.
That page, the writ says, is followed by 134,000 people.
The writ further states that a “press statement” originating from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition was published on the said page with the caption: “Breaking News–Minister of Agriculture and other officials in the Ministry accused of major corruption.”
The major corruption referred to was an allegation that the minister, and at least one other official in the ministry linked to the PPP (People’s Progressive Party), are accused of smuggling a truckload of chicken and then instructing the police to release their booty.”
Mustapha and his lawyers have noted that the statement gave the impression that the minister and one other unnamed character are the subjects of a criminal investigation related to the smuggling of chicken from Suriname and that they interfered with a Guyana Police Force investigation. Further, the writ state that the statement suggested that Mustapha and his alleged accomplice are unlawfully depriving the country of revenue and undermining the success of the poultry industry in Guyana. And, that he is smuggling chicken for personal gains.
Mustapha’s lawyer, Datadin told Guyana Standard that the opposition leader ought to have greater respect for himself and the office he holds than to be so callous with his statements.
Datadin said, “Despite the fact that he is not in government, his position still holds some weight, a significant portion of the citizenry look to him as their leader and he ought to be more responsible. Norton ought to have known better than to be making libelous statements about prominent people. Mustapha is in government and has a reputation to protect.”
Datadin noted that Norton was given a chance to make things right. Referring to the writ, Datadin said, “The document you have states that the minister gave him a warning. He could have avoided litigation. But now he will have to pay because you cannot prove lies in court.”
The writ states that following Norton’s initial claim, Mustapha, though his ministry, released a public missive debunking, in detail, Norton’s claims. That missive was published on the ministry’s Facebook page and a wide cross section of the local press.
In that very statement, Norton was called upon to withdraw his baseless, reckless and libelous allegation immediately. He was put on notice that the statement was already sent for legal advice and unless withdrawn, legal proceedings will be instituted.
Norton did not heed the warning, instead, he doubled down, causing another statement to be published, “Opposition responds to minister’s failed attempt to cover up smuggling of chicken.”
As such, Mustapha is petitioning the court to have Norton pay damages in excess of $5M for libel. He is also seeking an apology, the removal of the libelous posts and an injunction restraining Norton or his servants from further publishing the information which he claims to be false.
