Dear Editor,
The APNU’s position is abundantly clear. Chief Justice (ag) Chang did not change his position in his final decision from that of his preliminary ruling when he concluded Attorney General Anil Nandlall’s Originating Notice of Motion in the High Court the Friday before last. Mr Clement Rohee has no right or privilege to speak in the National Assembly as Minister.
In his final ruling Chief Justice Chang said this:-
“This Court wishes to re-emphasise that the right of Mr Rohee under the Constitution to speak in the National Assembly has nothing to do with his status of Minister of Home Affairs. From a legal standpoint, he speaks therein as a member thereof and not as Minister of Home Affairs.”
Chief Justice Chang further elucidated that the President could have retained the portfolio of Minister of Home Affairs himself and assigned a member of parliament to speak on matters of Home Affairs. In other words a member of parliament did not have to be the Minister of Home Affairs to speak on such matters.
The Chief Justice’s reasoning is consistent with the APNU’s position that because of the resolution of no confidence against Mr Rohee as Minister of Home Affairs, he ought not to speak in the Assembly as such; but as a member of parliament he can speak as much as he likes on any number of matters.
The Guyanese people would recall that the Attorney General Anil Nandlall, after the preliminary ruling claimed that the gag was lifted and Mr Rohee was free to speak as Minister. However, subsequently he started speaking about appealing that ruling, but was advised that since his motion was not completed he could not appeal. Chief Justice Chang has now completed the motion and made his final ruling.
One would expect the AG to file his appeal but instead he has decided to bluff the Guyanese people again, even though the position has not changed.
Mr Nandlall would be well advised that the APNU is never hoodwinked.
Yours faithfully,
Basil Williams
Attorney-at-Law
