Former government minister Annette Ferguson today defended a High Court order awarding her damages against Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo because of his failure to file a defence in a libel case.
She also criticized remarks made yesterday by Attorney General Anil Nandlall who had been the attorney in the case.
An edited statement by Ferguson follows:
“I have noted with concern a Press Statement issued by Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, MP regarding the recent Default Judgement granted on March 11, 2021 against Mr. Jadgeo in the sum of Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00), with costs in the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000.00).
“The statement, in part, reads that, `the judgment was granted without the knowledge of Mr. Jagdeo and his Attorneys-at-Law, in their absence.’ This is furthest from the truth and a deflection from what occurred.
“Additionally, because of the judgment, the Attorney General, who is supposed to represent the state says he intends to approach the High Court to set aside the ruling.
“The matter before the Court is between two Citizens in their private capacities and therefore it will be expected that Mr Nandlall would have eschewed any role in speaking on this matter and would have advised Mr Jagdeo to seek Counsel in Private practice
“The fact that he has used his Office as Attorney General to speak to a matter between two Private citizens is disturbing and alarming more so when he has implicitly suggested what Mr Jagdeo plans to do and what outcome is expected of the Courts when the Application is made by Mr Jagdeo…
“I will not be distracted by this posture of …Mr. Nandlall, this was expected.
“However, now that a judgment has been granted, I wish to reiterate, that the statements which were made against me are patently false, and the ruling of the court has vindicated me.
“Mr. Jagdeo has not provided a shred of evidence to support his contention that I acquired several house lots and or built a property using ill-gotten gains and rightfully, because there is none.
“The fact of the matter, those statements made by Jagdeo were scandalous at least and libelous at best.
“The Ministry of Housing is now at the disposal of Mr. Jagdeo, and the records are there, why then Mr. Jagdeo did not request those to substantiate his claims and use same as evidence in court? We all know why.
“Further, my attorneys have successfully argued and defended using evidence, how I was able to build my property- through a loan from a commercial bank as is now widely reported in the media.
“On coming into office since August 2, 2020, Mr. Nandlall has gone after persons, who he claims acquired land illegally, why has not he come after me or exposed my wrongdoing to the public if the evidence leans in that direction.
“The ruling of the court is in order, in that, it reinforces the need for persons, irrespective or what office they hold to be responsible and not reckless in their utterances”.
