The High Court has decisively ruled in favor of former opposition representative Daniel Lugay, finding that he was unlawfully assaulted, wrongfully arrested, and falsely imprisoned by members of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF). The judgment, issued on April 1, 2025, comes after a detailed examination of the events surrounding a controversial incident outside the resident of Prime Minister Roosevelt on August 15, 2020.
Lugay, who was an elected member of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) at the time, had alleged that the officers approached him and detained him without any legitimate reason. Testimony from Lugay, along with corroborating accounts from witnesses, including fellow opposition leader Lennox Linton and driver Oliver Walsh, painted a stark picture of the events that led to the arrest. They testified that Lugay was merely a bystander when the police intervened aggressively.
During the trial, the defense, representing the Attorney General’s office (acting on behalf of the State), maintained that the officers acted within their rights and denied any wrongdoing. However, the court found the evidence presented by Lugay and his witnesses more compelling, leading to a ruling that not only vindicated Lugay but also highlighted the need for reform in police practices.
The court concluded that Inspector Michael Sebastien and Corporal Martin Anatol acted without legal justification when they detained Lugay while he was merely observing a public altercation. The ruling emphasized that the officers failed to follow proper procedures and violated Lugay’s rights as a citizen.
In his judgment, Justice Colin Williams highlighted the lack of credible evidence to support the police’s claims that Lugay posed a threat or was obstructing their duties. The court found that the officers’ actions were not only excessive but also indicative of a broader issue of misconduct within the police force. Justice Williams noted, “This case underscores the necessity for law enforcement agencies to operate within the boundaries of the law and to respect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their political affiliations.”
“The Claimant was unlawfully detained and falsely imprisoned beyond a reasonable period, even after the Second Defendant became aware that the Claimant was not the individual responsible for harassing, obstructing, and verbally abusing the Prime Minister,” the judge stated in awarding damages. “Consequently, the First Defendant is ordered to compensate the Claimant with $5,500.00 in damages and $5,000.00 in costs, as previously agreed upon before the commencement of proceedings. The total sum of $10,500.00 is to be paid by the First Defendant no later than Wednesday, April 30, 2025.”
The full judgement can be read below.
Look, we all have to agree that the CDPF is not what it used to be.
Gone are the days of officers like Joseph Challenger, Philsbert Alfred, Gabriel St.Jean, Nicholas George, Duke Savarin, Ensley Pierre, Theft Act (Hillaire), Kelvin Albert (Jackass Jones) and even Pierre Louis. That’s just a few I can remember. The last set of good officers were recruited and trained about 1985 under Mamo. Those served well and with independence.
I remember telling one of the 1985 guys (He was playing Football in Mahaut) that I will report him to Brian Alleyne for not arresting two guys fighting on the football field
. His only response to me was; “thats my discretion to charge and not arrest and just so you know I dont work for Brian I work for the state. So feel free to go to the comissioner 
“. I was pissed because the station was a stone’s throw away and my team was losing. Today I know he was right….that was a real cop!
Mr.Point,it is just a matter of time before MEME,IBO and BWA say the Judge is corrupt,dishonest and a puppet bought by Roosevelt Skerrit.When UWP win a case the Judge is Like Jesus Christ,when they lose the same Judge is corrupt and dishonest like Satan.
There are too many actors and actresses in the CDPF, vying for position and falling over themselves trying to prove their loyalty to the Dear Leader. Sad state of affairs!
And that is the decision of the Judge.Pay the $10,000 no he he no ha ha.
@CLOWN
The only thing you saw was $10 000.00 ?Are you broke?
I read the judge castigating the POLICE.
Can you read..You really see to be a clown.
@ Clown. Who bit you.. that you are crying.. sot
what is the state of the judiciary in Dominica now?, I guess the UWP Opposition will give it a passing grade with flying colors, now they have gotten a couple of significant victories. No intention of the government to appeal this decision.
@LIN CLOWN #2 Putin
Your garbage is equal to that of
LIN CLOWN.
The take away from the case is that our police force has degenerated into a tool used by dirty, nasty politicians to trample on the rights of the opposition, but this SHALL not happen without a serious fight back.
It’s awful. Cases take forever to be resolved. The DPP and most of the magistrates in my honest opinion are compromised and transactional. The judiciary favors the autocratic regime most definitely. Just a couple magistrates try to dispense true justice.
Lugay at this time have every right to file a lawsuit against “government Roosevelt Skerrit” his police force, and I believe the RSS Roosevelt brought to Dominica for absolutely no other reason than to use brutal force on the innocent, such as the harmless, defenseless person with a backpack walking committed no offense, however, one of the goons, that animal; be he Dominican, or a bit of mucus; slimy scum from another island; executed a vicious blow to the victim head knocking him down, accompanied by other animals who simply walked pass the unconscious victim on the ground. Let us not forget the man in Salisbury, on his property, did nothing besides dismounted a motorcycle, going into his house when one animal from the RSS ordered another to shoot the unarmed man about to enter his house.
I wonder if someone shot Roosevelt mother in the house of ill reputation on Kings Lane where it is alleged he was conceived, if he might not be angry to kill!
Lugay you have a strong case!
Is the police force as is presently, a danger to our society?
The judge highlighted the need to respect the people’s rights whether they are Labourites, UWPites, Pappites or Sikirites. The judge is not blind, its only the opposition that is beinh harrassed.
Those Parl Rep police and the members of the Manicou Gang must get that message.
The CDPF has been infested with bandits, rogues, kidnappers and school dropouts who are barely functionally literate and cannot read nor understand the constitution. All they know is physical force and the use of automatic weapons.
I think Danny Light deserves much more in compensation for the pain, humiliation, and other suffering he experienced at the hands of these foot soldiers of the perpetual Liar.
Most people now consider Dominica as a pariah state. A place where ‘police’ stone peaceful protesters, pepper them with rubber bullets and poisonous teargas, then round them up at gun point, and throw them into rodent infested cells.
Get rid of the biggest obstacle to progress in Dominica is Lying, selfish, greedy, vainglorious Roosevelt. The longer he stays in power the more corrupt a d dictatorial he becomes.
a) There is MISCONDUCT in the CDPF
b) There is blatant disregard for the rights of the citizenry by members of the CDPF.
A few judges have balls as big as mine.
Thank you judge.
This police force is rotten to the core. The role of the entire force has become a political mess. It is 100% doing the work of lying, foul tongue, cheating and corrupt politicians, but not to protect the public, life or property.I am happy that the learned judge highlighted the MISCONDUCT in the force, and the need for those morons TO RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENRY. Even the right to peaceful protest the police want to deny Dominicans. WE CAN’T ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.
The FINE was a big joke!
But will those BUFFOONS passing as police learn? We wait to see.