Judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) has granted an adjournment to the February 2017 sitting of the court in Dominica to deal with the matter of Abel “Checko” Jno Baptiste vs Dr. Philbert Aaron.
Jno Baptiste, a police officer and calypsonian who was slapped with a $130,000 penalty by High Court Judge Errol Thomas after he failed to file a defense in a defamatory suit filed by Dr. Aaron, was given until August 22, 2016 to file and serve his defense on the quantum of money he was ordered to pay by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC), failing which the appeal shall stand “dismissed.”
However, when the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday, his lawyer, Singoalla B. Williams appeared struggling with the flu and the court was forced to adjourn the matter.
Dr. Aaron was absent and is said to be on official state business in China. He is represented by lawyer, Noelize Knight-Didier of the Harris and Harris law firm.
Aaron, the Ambassador to ALBA and Public Relations Officer of the ruling Dominica Labour Party, claimed that a song penned and sung by Checko in 2011 entitled “Bug Her,” defamed him.
On January 16, 2013, Dr. Aaron, through his lawyer Noelize Knight-Didier filed a claim against Checko, claiming that the defendant libeled and slandered him in the song.
In the statement of claim, they requested damages for libel and slander, for aggravated and exemplary damages, an injunction restraining the defendant from further publishing the offending words and or any other words defamatory of Aaron and cost.
Checko filed an acknowledgment of service on February 13, 2013, but he filed no defense within the prescribed time for filing. And on March 6, 2013 Aaron requested an entry of judgment in default and that was obtained on March 13, 2013. A subsequent application to set aside the judgment in default was denied.
In handing down his decision, Justice Errol Thomas awarded $75,000 for general damages, $50,000 for aggravated damages and $5,000 for exemplary damages “on account of the remix of the song because of his desire to win the Road March title.”
In another matter, former General Manager of State owned DBS radio Marriette Warrington who was given leave by the ECSC to appeal her matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is now asking the court to reconsider her application as “a poor person”. That matter will be heard on Thursday. Warrington took DBS to court for wrongful dismissal but lost at the High and Appeals Court.
“claimed that a song penned and sung by Checko in 2011 entitled “Bug Her,” defamed him. When are we going to stop the assault on social commentary, calypso. The man name was never mentioned. Man this case should be thrown out and all judgement vacated. Let us stop the people who does travel backdoor man instead of trying to stiffle a calypsonian. I just realized how that could be seen in both ways…who decides what I am speaking about? Backdoor travel, or fellas going in de backdoor with/for meled chocolate?
#OneLoveDominicans!!! Calypso time!
social commentary is one thing, but this tool was created to talk about people behind their backs. the slaves used it against their masters to spread their messages. Now we use it against ourselves. I dont support calypso, especially as i know dominicans are so malicious and will jump at any chance to ridicule someone so long as it is not them. I fully support Dr. Aaron. I dont care about his sexual orientation or anything about his personality or personal life. but i do care that we think it is ok to say anything we like about anyone in “jest/joke”. but some of the most serious things are often said in jest. Pay the man Checko and dont cry about it. when you were writing your lyrics and smiling and dancing on stage you were not crying. so pay the man.
What about GON’s case? How are things going Supreme Court?
I guess this one is as dead as a doornail? Wonder how much you lot got paid to kill this one.
Stupes
Kill they have to kill that case
Checko isn’t the only calypsonian singing about people
King dice wen he sang about senior councel devil
Perter prosper when he sang his song they banking their money where the getting their ranks when he mention half of the leaders in DLP
To me just let that go
Tranna make money on poor check. God is above
All of that have to stop. Dont put people name in your nonsense. Dominica too small for that kind of division.
punish checko. dominicans like to think they can say what they want about who they want without repercussions
why dont they stop this foolishness it have much better and interesting stuff that deserve court time.. stupes
Good luck Cheko….long live the lufe anf fight of Nelson Mandella….and ither brave politucal abd social fighters.
The soul is clean…material things are what they are.
Blessings
Good luck…keep singing……keep up the vibes.
Money …winning a case does not nean?????????.
Long live the struggle of Nelsin Mandella….abd many more heroes.ď