The High Court has ruled in favor of the government in a matter that goes back to the last general election which was held in 2014.
The Dominica Labour Party (DLP) won that election with 15 seats while the United Workers Party (UWP) got six.
After the polls, three men, Mervin Jno Baptiste, Antoine Defoe, and Edincot St. Valle, filed criminal complaints against DLP candidates for “treating” in the run-up to the election.
In his complaint, Mervin Jno Baptiste alleged that government ministers “worked together to corruptly, directly and/or indirectly influence the results” of the poll.
He pointed to two free concerts, one featuring three-time Grammy Award winner and international gospel star, Donny McClurkin, and the other by Jamaican Reggae star, Morgan Heritage, as ways to “corruptly influence” the outcome of the election.
He said this was done “in contravention of Section 56. A of the House of Assembly Elections Act.”
All elected members of the DLP were named in the complaint.
In her judgment, High Court Judge, Bernie Stephenson said a magistrate in the matter erred in law by signing and issuing summons for the members of government to attend court.
She ruled that only the High Court has jurisdiction over election matters.
More info on this matter later.
Skerrit and his Kabal seeks to confuse, distract and brazenly misrepresent facts to the D/ca public, in an effort to remain in power with TOTAL disregard to D/ca’s well-being. No post Hurricane Maria (or even before) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, which sets out how D/ca will establish new trade, investment and economic links, and end national poverty, hopelessness and decadent in our society.
Empty words saying nothing.
How can anything go right in Dominica when you have Judges/Magistrates making laws and not in forcing the laws on the book , now Skerrit can go a head and file his claim and Dominicans will know they can lie openly without any fair what else is new.
Nest sidestep Bernie. They should call you Pontius Pilate.
who has a crush on Skerrit?
DNO why are you not allowing us to criticize that damn unjust judge? Why are you oppressing us DNO? I am a private citizen and if I find the judge is unfair you should allow us to express our frustration as long as we are respectful and civilized . Why cut off my statement and replace it with…. Since when a judge cannot be criticized by private citizen, that’s not at her court? We are oppressed by the media, suppressed by DNO, opressed by our government, oppressed by the house speaker oppressed by just about everyone, just to protect Skerrit and his cabal
Why is she unjust? I guess the ruling did not favor your party so the judge is unjust. Why don’t you all bring sensible cases to court. After the people have spoken you all are trying to use the court as a backdoor to overturn their wishes. The courts have seen through this dotish move and will have none of it.
So Bernie it took you about four years to determine that a ‘magistrate erred’ in issuing summons to the ministers to attend court? Four years …on the eve of another election where i know that the treating will go to the proverbial next level. So basically because the ‘Magistrate erred in law the case is discontinued…I don’t see where justice is served. Can the case be re filed in the correct court? The case deserves to be heard to put to rest the issue of treating. Both sides should have been given the opportunity to present their evidence and their facts. GON Emanuel never got his day in court now Mervin did not get his chance either on a technicality. Mervin you should fire the Magistrate…lol. We the patriots have plenty patience in light of all this madness. Ba yo love
You workers people something else eh. So when workers used to bing artiste during a campaign it wasn’t wrong? When dem boys brought people to point mulatre for the sunrise party it wasn’t wrong? But now just because workers brokes and cannot afford to bring again. Allu making noise eh? Allu too wicked eh. That nonsense case had nowhere going period. Who vex loss….. But interestingly I am waiting patiently for the “ministers are rapist” case for more radiothon to hold
DNO,
where is the ruling in favour of the Salisbury People?
Don’t get all excited, this is not a final ruling, it just says that the constitutional motion can move forward, so don’t start celebrating , we don’t know what the final ruling will be after arguments are heard.
No surprise there Bernie….. I would have been pleasantly surprised if you had ruled otherwise.
Ok so was it legal or not?
I don’t know if the judge is a Christian or not but maybe she reads the Bible so I just want to ask her if she is familiar with this passage of Scripture, where the thief and murderer was released while the righteous One was crucified? If not she could read it below:
15Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesusb Barabbas. 17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him Matthew 25:15-18
Political arguments on partisan matters as well as on social media platforms cannot be used in court. When will workers learn?
All you lose again? Awa wi!!!
In light of this law n her judgment, High Court Judge, Bernie Stephenson said a magistrate in the matter erred in law by signing and issuing summons for the members of government to attend court.
Here is a missed opportunity for the Legal demonstrators to come forth and second the notion( if this is factual) Or object. as a manifestation that it’s not only about$ but justice. Not even the Rasta man has come forth.
DNO, your story is lacking vital info. Why did the judge rule in favour of the government? What rationale she gave? It could not be the Magistrate Court has no jurisdiction on election matters. We know it is the High Court that has jurisdiction. What was the basis of the High Court’s ruling?
“a magistrate in the matter erred in law by signing and issuing summons for the members of government to attend court. She ruled that only the High Court has jurisdiction over election matters.”
OH God help us. It’s like the television umpire saw the batsman was out but upheld the NOT OUT decision of the on field umpire which resulted in a victory for the batting team. Boy we need so much help with this cabal …………….
:It is expected to go in their favor anyways
To be honest, I did not expect anything else from Bernie Stephenson………………..Is so we go.