Former government minister Annette Ferguson has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, whom she alleges made libelous statements about her during a televised programme.
She said that the statements, which were broadcast during an interview on the National Communications Network (NCN) on March 12 and also livestreamed on Facebook, were untrue and intended to tarnish and lower her reputation.
Against this background, Ferguson (the Claimant) is seeking an injunction restraining Hamilton (the Defendant), his servants and/or agents from uttering, repeating and/or disseminating the utterances complained of or any similar words.
She is also asking the court to grant any further order it deems just, as well as costs.
Ferguson, who is a Member of Parliament (MP) for the main opposition APNU+AFC coalition, said in her statement of claim that Hamilton at different periods would appear as a guest on programmes hosted by the state-owned NCN and which she said is livestreamed on the governing People’s Progressive Party’s Facebook page.
On the date complained of, Ferguson said that Hamilton appeared on NCN and spoke on a range of topics, including political issues.
She said that he referred to various persons who held office under the APNU+AFC and are under investigation or have had criminal charges levelled against them in connection with the sale or transfer of lands.
Ferguson said that it was during this discourse that Hamilton libeled her.
On account of what she relates was said on the programme, Ferguson said that Hamilton, without justification, suggested that when she served as minister, she acquired more than one parcels of land.
She said that Hamilton sought to imply that she wrongfully used her office and power as a minister to acquire more than one house lots, which she said is untrue.
She contends, further, that the statement made by the defendant is intended to convey that she corruptly or unlawfully took four house lots when she was minister.
According to her, on March 8, 2014, she applied to the Central Housing and Planning Authority for a piece of land and after her interview, she was told of her eligibility for a middle-income house lot.
Ferguson said that sometime in 2016, she was eventually allocated a parcel at Eccles, East Bank Demerara during the period she held the position as Junior Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
She deposed in her claim that she paid $900,000 after being awarded the plot.
“Other than the aforesaid house lot, the Claimant has not received nor does she hold a Title or Transport for any other land allotted to her by the Central Housing and Planning Authority,” her affidavit said.
She contends that the statement made by the defendant was a deliberate and intentional falsehood intending to tarnish her reputation as a former government minister and MP, so as to cause persons to think that she is a corrupt and dishonest person.
Ferguson said that after viewing the television programme, she became “distressed, alarmed and ashamed” of herself and was contacted by several persons who heard the interview and claimed to believe the statements uttered by Hamilton.
According to her, there were also persons who suggested that she should relinquish and return the extra house lots “to save her reputation.”
Ferguson said that Hamilton provided no evidence to support his statement.
She added that as a parishioner of the D’Urban Street Assembly of God Church, she is expected to uphold the Christian principles of piety, honesty and moral turpitude and that the statements made by the defendant are likely to bring her character and integrity into disrepute among her fellow parishioners.
Ferguson made reference in her claim to similar statements which she said were uttered by now Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, which she underscored had been published by the Guyana Times Newspaper.
Early last month, a judge ordered Jagdeo to pay Ferguson $20 million in default of him not having filed a defence on time.
Jagdeo is currently seeking to have a court set aside that order.
The action brought against the Guyana Times is, however, still pending.
Ferguson is being represented by attorney Lyndon Amsterdam.
