(Trinidad Express) Bring it on!
Corruption accused Former embattled FIFA Vice President Jack Warner declared last night that he is not going anywhere and if the United States sends for him, he’s ready to battle them.
The former FIFA Vice President also questioned why taxpayers money was being used to pay legal fees for a US case against him.
He said the Government should also pay his legal fees as the only person who’s doing work pro bono for him is Rekha Ramjit.
Warner, the leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) , was speaking tonight at a cottage meeting in Claxton Bay.
“I ain’t running, I ain’t hiding , all I say to them is bring it on and when they bring it on it will be a long hot summer,” said Warner.
“Jack Warner eh going anywhere, he ain’t going anywhere…I’ll be here not for five, 10 or 15 years, I will be here for a very long time” said Warner.
“He could take that and carry it to the bank!” added Warner , referring to Attorney General Garvin Nicholas.
Warner noted a US news report which stated that he was charged with wire fraud as $295,000 of FIFA money was wired to him in December 2010.
Warner said if this is what he got after 30 years in FIFA, he’s still owed money.
Turning to his extradition matter, Warner said what worries him was that the US has a provisional warrant for him but taxpayers money was being used to put up a case for the US for which they say they have evidence.
He pointed out that an English QC and five local lawyers were retained at taxpayers’ expense.
“That for me is patently unfair,” said Warner.
He assured that he fears nothing because he believes he has the best legal team and God.
“I sleep very soundly at night…because I have nothing to fear. The Lord is my Shepherd,” said Warner.
He said further said that if money mattered to him he would not take a salary of $1 a month, $60 total for five years as the Chaguanas West MP.
He added that he never took a Government loan to purchase a vehicle.
Warner boasted that there was no Cabinet Minister who has been more generous than him.
He said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was unfit for office as well as her team.
Holding up a copy of the Sunshine newspaper headlined “Devant Playboy” Warner said the front page was posted on Facebook and generated 103,000 hits.
The front page bears the photograph of Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj in an affectionate position with a woman.
The ILP deputy leader Rekha Ramjit also spoke about Warner’s legal issues.
However before getting into her speech she declared , “I am Rekha Ramjit and I am not for sale”.
Ramjit, an attorney, said that Warner’s extradition matter is a long process that will take years.
She said there was never any provisional warrant of arrest for businessmen Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson.
She added that the US extradition request for them came in 2005 and it wasn’t until 2012 that the courts ruled that they will not be extradited.
“In this particular issue it will be a long time before this process is complete,” said Ramjit.
She noted that on May 26 the provisional warrant of arrest was issued for Warner.
She said this warrant was just a statement of bare charges with no evidence attached.
Ramjit said under the extradition treaty the provisional warrant of arrest is issued if urgent.
“What was the urgency that caused him to execute a provisional warrant without any evidence on a prominent citizen,” said Ramjit.
She noted that 35 days have passed and yet to yesterday’s date they have not provided that evidence.
