Attorney General Anil Nandlall has defended his advice to President Irfaan Ali that Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken could be appointed substantively, stating that Ali had last year given Hicken an indefinite duty extension in that capacity.
Nandlall pointed to Hicken’s acting appointment being recognized by the court given that at the time there were circumstances beyond his control and the President had no choice, and said that the same argument is extended in this case. Back then, the reason the President could not have ensured full compliance with the Constitution was because there was no elected leader of the opposition, nor was a chair of the Police Service Commission appointed.
“By letter dated 21st July 2023, acting on the recommendation of the Police Service Commission, His Excellency granted Mr Hicken, whose 55th birthday was on the 22nd July 2023, “permission to continue to act in the office of Commissioner of Police and to perform those functions until a time to be determined,” Nandlall, who is currently in Geneva on work duty, stated on his Facebook page.
