Another man accused of setting the Ministry of Health on fire was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
was not required to plead to the indictable charge of setting fire to a public building when it was read to him by the acting chief magistrate.
It is alleged that between July 16 and 17 at Brickdam, Ferrier, 48, a minibus driver of 1689 National Avenue, South Ruimveldt unlawfully and maliciously set fire to the Ministry of Health’s building, property of the State.
Attorneys-at-Law Patrice Henry and Mortimer Coddett who represented the accused made an application for reasonable bail to be granted their client on the grounds that he poses no risk of flight, has no previous convictions, has a fixed place of abode and has been cooperating with the police in their investigations.
Police Prosecutor Munilall Seetaram, however, objected to the bail application made by the defence lawyers on the grounds that the offence committed was a serious one. Seetaram also posited that if granted bail, there is a likelihood that the defendant might interfere with the witnesses and do other things.
It was at this point that disorder overwhelmed the courtroom as Coddett interrupted the prosecutor saying that he, [Seetaram] was speaking “utter nonsense” as he failed to advance concepts and principles of law to substantiate his position for the defendant to be denied bail.
“You are speaking utter nonsense, where are your legal backings to suggest that my client should not be granted bail. Who are the witnesses that he will interfere with,” Coddett argued.
By this time, a heated quarrel had ensued between the prosecutor and the lawyer. Despite efforts by the court orderly to restore order, the two continued raising their voices at each other, causing the magistrate to order the court to rise after which she retired to her chambers.
After some 10 minutes of sniping between Seetaram and Coddett, the noise that had overwhelmed the courtroom finally subsided and the magistrate returned to the bench.
Seetaram then apologised to the magistrate for his conduct and Coddett continued to argue for his client to be admitted to bail.
Prosecutor Denise Griffith at this point took over from her junior, Seetaram, and told the court that the defendant should be denied bail because of the seriousness of the offence and added that he was picked out at an identification parade.
Despite the arguments and legal submissions put forth by the attorneys, however, they were unable to secure bail for their client.
Ferrier was subsequently remanded to prison and his matter was transferred to Court Three for August 7.
On Monday, two other men were charged with setting fire to the Ministry of Health’s building.
It is alleged that between July 16 to 17 at Brickdam, Clayton Westford, 19, an office assistant of 7 West La Penitence and 21-year-old Tedena Bagot, a pork-knocker of 32 Second Street, Alexander Village unlawfully and maliciously set fire to the Ministry of Health’s building, property of the State.
The two men were not required to plead to the indictable charge of setting fire to a public building when it was read to them and were remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Robertson.
A huge fire believed to have been sparked by channa bombs completely destroyed the Ministry of Health’s main building and an annex at Brickdam in the wee hours of July 17, devouring records, vehicles and a string of key divisions in a major blow to the health sector.