City Magistrate Fabayo Azore yesterday postponed the commencement of the trial of former Attorney-General Anil Nandlall on a charge of fraudulently converting over $2 million in law reports which were the property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
The postponement came after much pleading by attorneys for Nandlall.
Magistrate Azore, during the last court hearing, had set yesterday’s date for the commencement of the trial. The charge states that Nandlall 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, fraudulently took or converted the reports to his own use and benefit.
Special Organized Crime Unit Prosecu-tor, Patrice Henry was set to commence proceedings with two witnesses but Nandlall’s attorneys were not ready. Attorney Glen Hanoman, who spoke on behalf of senior counsel Neil Boston and several other attorneys, continuously requested that the prosecution serve all statements despite the Magistrate informing him on the previous court date that the prosecution can serve statements after the commencement of the trial.
Despite the attorneys’ pleas, Magistrate Azore was prepared to commence the trial, however, the attorneys succeeded in a final appeal when they requested that their senior attorney be present to cross-examine the witnesses.
The magistrate stated that she would adjourn the matter so that attorney Boston could be present. She, however, firmly noted that the trial will commence on the next occasion and cross-examination deferred if the defendant’s senior counsel is absent.
She later adjourned the matter to June 20.
