A date was set yesterday for the start of the trial of former Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, who is charged with fraudulently converting over $2 million in law reports, which were the property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
The charge against Nandlall states that between May 8, 2015 and May 29, 2015, at Georgetown, being a bailee and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and having 14 law reports, valued at $2,313,853 and property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, he fraudulently took or converted the reports to his own use and benefit.
At a hearing yesterday before trial magistrate Fabayo Azore, special prosecutor Patrice Henry requested that the charge be dealt with summarily and Nandlall was afterward allowed to offer a plea. He entered a not guilty plea after the charge was once again read to him.
Prosecutor Henry also presented several statements to the court but stated that there are four outstanding statements that are to be taken from Special Assistant Commissioner James, Corporal Mohammed, Constable Persaud and a further statement from Inspector Frank.
Nandlall’s attorney, Glen Hanoman, then objected to the prosecution commencing the trial without serving all the statements.
Magistrate Azore, however, told the attorney that the prosecutor could serve statements during the trial. She then adjourned the matter to June 8, when the trial is to commence.
The charge against Nandlall was instituted three days after he was questioned by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) about the reports, in what he has described as an act of retaliation due to his public criticisms of his successor, Basil Williams SC.
Nandlall has maintained that the reports were purchased for him based on an oral arrangement that he had with the then president Donald Ramotar as a condition for his taking up the post of Attorney-General.
