PM champions independence of the judiciary

The independence of the judiciary in Dominica and the rest of the Eastern Caribbean is being championed by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

The 39-year-old leader, speaking of the heels of being “vindicated” by the courts which ruled against a United Workers Party inspired election petition that sought to declare his election in the Vieille Case constituency null and void, dismissed criticism from opponents who suggest that the government may have been able to influence the court to rule in his favor.

“This is pure foolishness, total nonsense,” the prime minister told Dominica News Online.

“I have every respect for the independence of the  judiciary in this country and the Caribbean, in terms of the OECS,”  PM Skerrit said.

“To give the impression that anybody can buy a court is really disrespectful to the court,” the prime minister added.

He wants the Bar Associations and former and sitting judges to “condemn that foolishness, because it is total nonsense”.

The Dominica Labour Party leader, referring specifically to the case heard by Justice Gertel Thom which went in his favor, admitted that he would have been disappointed had he lost the case.

He revealed however that he would not have appealed the decision.

“I had decided, contrary to the advice of the lawyers, to go straight to (a) by-election,” the prime minister told DNO.

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59 Comments

  1. 2 STRONG SUPPORTERZ
    January 13, 2012

    my prime minister u a a god bless leader dont let no body give u heart attack we need u in dominica all they want is the place let them no u a not god but u was sent by him to save our countery mr peter st jean u are there to stay all who hate u get lost we love u as our pal rep and u will remain our pal rep

  2. Asterix
    January 13, 2012

    To all those who continue to uphold roosevelt skerrit doing wrong and getting away with it by machinations and technicalities, I just hope all you realize that you all are destroying the soul and conscience of this young man. It is behavior like this that leads to the creation of leaders who eventually govern with a reign of terror, examples of which we see in various parts of the world. When we condone these behavioral patterns leaders beleive that they are immuned and can do whatever they please. Its like spoiling a child rotten then we later live with regrets. Just remember who will inherit the poisoned challace that we are now preparing, it is our children. I could’t beleive my ears while listening to stardom tent on wednesday night, that the sakis lapo kabwit band was actually singing a song in creole with a line asking people to kneel down when we see skerrit. That is what we have become. GOD IS WATCHING.

  3. young voter
    January 12, 2012

    people, people, just wait for 2014 and we will she who is man and woman in the ring. start working guys put your line together and this time we want the manefesto in line not on line. relax and lennox will be the next pm. :lol:

  4. Jane Brown
    January 12, 2012

    UWP pwee book smart street foolish. Can u take me to court and ask me to prove your case for u? nonsence.Too much talk, talk talk. Is there only one man in DA. the hon.Skerrit? What plans do u all have for DA outside of the PM? D great radio lawyer, D best brain in DA, Mr know it all, why didn’t you go and represent UWpwee in court insted of waiting for them to lose and be the radio lawyer? Tooooo late bro.

  5. love
    January 12, 2012

    WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAND IS THE MAN IS A BORN DOMINICAN WENT TO PRE SCHOOL, PRIMERY SCHOOL, SECONDERY SCHOOL AND EVEN COLLAGE, IN HIS BIRTH PLACE, AND YOU GUYS WONT TO SHIP THE MAN OUT , PLEASE PEOPLE COME ON AGAIN. RIGHT NOW YOU GUYS SEEMS LIKE SOME FOOLS.
    EARL WILLIAMS WAS BORN IN EGLAND AND HE RAN FOR THE UWP AS THERE LEADER, RON GREEN IS A US CITIZEN, MR JAMES HAS A BRITISH PASSPORT, WHY ARE YOU GUYS SENDING ONE OF YOUR FELLOW MAN UNDER THE BUS? COME BETTER THAN THAT PEOPLE.
    PM YOU ARE 100000000000% DOMINICAN. NOW THAT YOU NO YOUR PEOPLE STAND BEHIND YOU, JOBS, JOBS, FOR YOUR PEOPLE, YOU OWE THEM THAT.

    • Asterix
      January 14, 2012

      The way you spell and write tells just how shallow minded you are

    • January 14, 2012

      So change the law and make it legal to have dual citizenship and run for office.. to me it is outdated

  6. Observer
    January 12, 2012

    Dominicans stop making Dominicans look stupid and uneducated, this was a civil case not a criminal case. No judge in any land could force the men to present the evidence for the other side, not in England, in America, China or anywhere. The people who brought the case had to have the evidence, they dd not. The lawyers knew that,Mendes (h)e said it. It was a good try it failed. It failed because the opposition did not have the evidence needed. No judge could have ruled differently base on law.

    • bonk
      January 12, 2012

      a letter with skerrit and st jean signature asking the french embassy to with draw their citizenship because they are concerned about they been legible to contest the election not good enought evidence,,
      oh i sorry is the same with the statement from deny who indicated that he burned mano house because seko and issy paid him…

      the people who seem to turn wrong into right is the same people who cry when a love one get murdered and because of a technicallity the killer walk free..

    • Lord
      January 12, 2012

      The only evidence needed was the passport.
      And that is d most difficult evidence to obtain. PM Skerrit holds it in his hands! Ron is no difference really. He too held dual citizenship.

      Observer, what are so stupid about people’s comments?

    • Mad as Hell
      January 13, 2012

      Ignorant Dominicans, stop spewing all you nonsense to mislead the Dominican people please! We do not have to remain in perpetual ignorance!!!!

      A subpoena duces tecum (or subpoena for production of evidence) is a court summons ordering a named party to appear before the court and produce documents or other tangible evidence for use at a hearing or trial.
      The summons is known by various names in different jurisdictions. The term “subpoena duces tecum” is used in the United States, as well as some other common law jurisdictions such as South Africa. It is a Latin phrase meaning “bring with you under penalty of punishment”. The summons is called a “subpoena for production of evidence” in some U.S. states that have sought to reduce the use of non-English words and phrases in court terminology.
      The subpoena duces tecum is similar to the subpoena ad testificandum, which is a writ summoning a witness to testify orally. However, unlike the latter summons, the subpoena duces tecum instructs the witness to bring in hand books, papers, or evidence for the court. In most jurisdictions, a subpoena usually has to be served personally. Read the rest here!

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subpoena_duces_tecum

  7. Anonymous
    January 12, 2012

    Who said ‘No Law’ No Constitution. Who appoints the judges.

  8. FORKIT
    January 12, 2012

    how can a judge refused to allow these men to submit their passport as evidence, to refuse to make them give evidence under oath, refuse all sorts of evidence and yet give a judgement in their favour.. I SMELL ALOT OF DEAD RATS..

    and yet dominicans dont know what it means to celebrate a victorious lie,deceit and trickery of the legal system..bad means good.. but when injustice falls on our door step i hope we will think and ask ourselves, ‘what have i done to deserve this’.
    remember the young man who got stabbed during carnival time, his mother never got justice.
    more to come

  9. Sout Man
    January 11, 2012

    Yesterday’s ruling still left some unanswered questions but it also reinforces some principles that are the foundation of our justice system. Thus, i) one is deemed innocent until proven guilty; ii)one’s right to avoid self-incrimination, and iii)that plaintiff/petitioner must provide evidence to prove their case.

    The unanswereed questions revolve around Chapter III, Section 32 (1) “A person shall not be qualified to be elected or appointed as a representative or Senator if he a)is by virtue of his own act, under acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state”.

    Is the holder of a foreign passport in violation of the above section (acknowledgement of allegiance)? If the answer is yes, wasn’t Ron Green in violation? He acknowledged it in court.

    Chapter III, Part2, Section 48 (1),Penalty for Sitting if Unqualified, states, “1) Any person who sits or votes in the House knowing or having reasonable grounds for knowing that he is not entitled to do so, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, ($100.00), or such other sum as may be prescribed by Parliament, for each day on which he so sits or votes in the House”.

    2) Any prosecution for an offence under this section shall be instituted in the High Court and shall not be so instituted except by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    I eagerly await an answer from the brilliant legal minds who comment on DNO and the actions of the DPP who is well versed in constitutional law, since Ron Green knew all along that he was the holder of a US passport. US citizenship, he might have acquired as a child if his parents filed for him, but his most recent and previous passports, the very same charge he brought against his opponents, needs clarification, at least and/or prosecution to the max.

    And finally; Chapter III Section 32 (3) disqualifies any Representative or Senator found guilty of an offence connected to the election of that member.Should the DPP pursue Ron Green’s case for all the days he sat in the House since 1995? Just asking!!

  10. Lord
    January 11, 2012

    Shall we take a look at the St. Kitts and Jamaica case? In reference of course to the same case that PM Skerrit recently won.
    What’s the difference there? Her Hon. Thom made reference to the opposition not having sufficient evidence? D evidence is in Mr. Skerrit’s passport…or passports! Yes plural!
    The opposition cannot have his passports but the judge could request that as evidence (I’m no lawyer)and we will see clearly that in December on nomination day Mr. Skerrit was still a French citizen. Whether he pledged allegiance to a foreign state is not the case or how he obtained his dual citizenship is not the case. The case is that he was in direct violation of the Dominican constitution. He held French citizenship –dual citizenship on nomination day!

  11. karma is real
    January 11, 2012

    the saying goes give a fool enough rope and he will surely hang himself.what can we do about the present situation? nothing,so why worry about it.just like the longest road comes to a bend so to will the evil works of evil men come to an end.who the cap fit please feel free to wear it.

  12. Da Rock
    January 11, 2012

    You expect me to believe dat? I have lost faith and respect for that OECS judiciary system.
    No law, not even the constitution can convince me that this man is speaking the truth.

    • Justice and Truth
      January 13, 2012

      Da Rock

      That is youur prerogative, to be convinced or not to be convinced. It all depends on your mentality. This does not mean that you are correct.

  13. feel the pain
    January 11, 2012

    INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY? MAGWA SA ROSSEVELT y cant Mr Emmanuel have his day in court with the Isidore case, what are you Hidding Isidore from, Y cant the fire bombing investigstion bring those wicked fire bombers to justice. Ask Isidore what happened to the car that he was using to take SECO to the airport. when these questions are answered then i will say the judiciary is independent

  14. possie TRUE VIBES
    January 11, 2012

    VEX ALLU DAM VEX……HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA………NOT GUILTY I SAY!!!!!!

    • 1979 Laughs out loud
      January 12, 2012

      gosh it seems that possie is the birthplace of idiocracy man. chaaaa

  15. The Air, Eye & Nose
    January 11, 2012

    DNO where is my comment?

  16. The Air, Eye & Nose
    January 11, 2012

    Reading comments of eee and others send chills through me… Oh how ignorant can one be? You seem to believe those who never finished high school to be the representative of the truth and your representative who can speak on your behalf (what a shame) remember sixty two Percent (62%) of the voting public gave Mr. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the authority to speak and represent their interest and to lead this beautiful country. My question to you all is simply this, WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO REPRESENT THAT 62%?

    • Justice and Truth
      January 13, 2012

      The Air & Eye and Nose

      Did you mean “Ear”? So much for calling people ignorant. It seems you need to learn how to spell :twisted:

      What do you mean by insulting people who did not attend high school? They may have more basic common sense than you have. It is said that educated people are not that intelligent in that they could be ignorant and do not utilize their basic common sense if they have any. It has been proven time and time again.

  17. Grand Bay Girl
    January 11, 2012

    So when are we going to move on?

    • 1979 Laughs out loud
      January 12, 2012

      my girlfriend tell me a ting the other day eh….and all now it ringing in my ears as I observe the happenings here……

      THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Justice and Truth
      January 13, 2012

      @ Grand Bay Girl

      Good question. You make me smile and laugh. :lol: The response is right now with no hesitation. There is work to do in every manner. :)

  18. forreal
    January 11, 2012

    if he had lost the case,then he could a simply dissolve his government and called a new general election and most likely won,according to brian,how foolish would you all feel, for all who are lamenting about court manipulation,when james got his christmas gift of ian,there was no talk of courts favor right,how funny, now theirs talk about manipulating courts, are you all people kidding me,the shoes is on the other feet,and it is hurting you all feet,you all need to buy the right size of shoes.

  19. THIS IS MY FATHER WO
    January 11, 2012

    Skerrit this is my fathers world O let me ne’er forget . THAT THOUGH SKERRIT WRONGS SEEM SO STRONG GOD IS THE RULER YET

    This my fathers world Why Should My Heart be Sad

    The lord is King let the Heavens rings
    GOD REINGS LET THE EARTH BE GLAD.

  20. interesting
    January 11, 2012

    interesting…..what did he say….he would not have appeal if he lost im a reading greek language….wow

    the Prime Minister know jolly well he lied and was illegal at nonimnation time…

    sad times for Dominica…

    i think this case should be showcase to the world it would be interesting to see what other legal high profile folks would think of this judgement…

    if i had the monies i would pay the Privy Council to get a honest view of this judgement for reference purposes..im pretty sure they would go for the evidence and not jump to a personel decision based on liking the Prime Minister and the fact he won a illegal election of 18 seats….

    the privy council would surely look at the key aspect cross examine the Prime Minister to gain the truth and also the physical passport, to get views of Date of Issurance etc….these are ket elements that the wise white folks would do, unlike our black folks who operate on like and prefer aspects…

    damm shame!

    • Asterix
      January 12, 2012

      This simply tells us that he knew he could have never lost as he had the court on his side all the way. That’s why he was not allowed to take the stand and why the passports were not allowed to be part of the evidence.The judge gertel thom was the Attorney General of the Lester Bird led Antiguan government in 2003 and guess who was the governments defense attorney. Mem bet mem pwell. Birds of feather and all part of the same glass knocking fraternity. tony astaphans just a few weeks ago told us he understood why gertel thom could not have delivered this judgement at the end of last year as she had promised because while he was in St. Lucia for the recent election there he saw how much work that gertel thom had before her. How would he have known that? Yous guess is as good as mine

  21. mouth of the south
    January 11, 2012

    now skerrit can talk… now he can face the media… garcon unless skerrit invite the media for question session meeting… none of you all should give mister a mic to talk into… an emberrasment to the judiciary…

  22. THE CONSTITUTION
    January 11, 2012

    Aye poor Dominica
    How often I would have loved
    To have taken you in my arms and comfort you

    How can we continue when the Supreme law of the land has been brought to nought, of non-effect.

    If this ruling stands I call for the release of all the people in jail, for no law nor constitution should convict them.

    My fellow Dominicans, history will not look on us too kindly.

    WE HAVE FAILED OUR DOMINICA!!!!

  23. Gee
    January 11, 2012

    AND……………

    We shall be fooled until we come to our senses!!!

  24. January 11, 2012

    BESIDE THE JUDGE AND SKERRIT, WHO ELSE BELONGS TO THE FREE MASONS(LODGE)?

    • bonk
      January 12, 2012

      good one you have me laughting

  25. UPTOWN REBEL!!!.
    January 11, 2012

    “To give the impression that anybody can buy a court is really disrespectful to the court,” the prime minister added…

    I am not going to accuse you of being disingenuous, but are you being honest about this?…You’ve never heard that before?

    What are you saying?….There have never been instances in the History of Courts,and Cases, where ‘Judges” have been bought?…

    I am not saying that this is the case here. But it has happened before,let us not kid ourselves…There are many instance throughout the history of the world, and of the Courts; that “Judges” were in fact bought…There are corrupt Judges…

    Some were caught and dealt with…But yes,the fact remains that, there are corrupt Judges…

    Unfortunately, and in reality, those are hard cold facts…So to say otherwise,would be misleading.

    And what do you mean when you say;..you are calling on the Bar Association and former and sitting Judges to “condemn that foolishness, because it is total nonsense”?..
    The true fact of the matter, is there are more serious things going on in Dominica,That is effecting the People, Country, and The CONSTITUTION, that they ought to come out and condemn. But they have not!..Have they?…Their silence is deafening to me….I wonder why?.

    Mr.Skeritt, you are not a naive man, so please..Give us a break…I know you are elated, and feel vindicated because of the Judge’s decision.That,my friend,is all well and good.
    But enough already…Let’s just take it easy, and relax….I do believe you have a Country to run, yes?….So please,enjoy. And let’s get on with it.

    All the best to you.

    REBEL!!!.

    • forkit
      January 12, 2012

      tell people to read about the operating procedures of the mob in the 1920’s up to this time… they bought governors, police, senators, judges, district attorney’s, pastors, priest and anybody they could use to get what they want…
      these highly reputed job titles are held by men, who is susceptible to any immorality, cause people worship money, they always want more

  26. Mad as Hell
    January 11, 2012

    Now that is taking that JOKE just a little bit too far!! The audacity of a Despot! DNO please tell us why you would even bother to public that? You mean to tell me all you do not think that Dominica has suffered enough MOCKERY? what would you want to perpetuate more mockery on poor Ma. Dominique, but she will hit back and she will hit back hard!

  27. Not a herd follower
    January 11, 2012

    Interesting revelation by Skerrit: he would not have appealed the ruling if he had lost the case. Is it because he would be forced to testify?

  28. Dubique767
    January 11, 2012

    Being found not guilty does mean that one did not break the rules or commit a crime.

    Not guilty by the court does not mean not guilty by the truth. The PM walks with the truth, and wherever he goes, he takes himself…and the truth.

    The quest for ultimate power renders men void of conscience.

  29. DAangel
    January 11, 2012

    because we have a well organize Government in power they can have a rally at any short given space of time.. organization and co-operation is the key :) :lol:

  30. Marcel
    January 11, 2012

    Those people knew the decision of the Judge long time.

    There is no integrity in the court system.

    • Asterix
      January 12, 2012

      I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. It figures as much because they had their Lagoon celebration all planned already. Just imagine that event was scheduled to start at 5pm when the descision was read just 3 hours before at 2pm. Word of the event was out the very morning before the judgement and so it wasn’t a follow up to the reading of the judgement hence the reasoning that they knew before.

  31. Doc. Love
    January 11, 2012

    THAT IS MY PROBLEM WITH SKERRIT,EVERY TIME HE GETS UP,HE FORGETS WHAT HE SAID THE PREVIOUS DAY.ONE DAY HE IS OFFERING THE OLIVE BRANCH, THE NEXT DAY HE IS OFFERING A BRANCH OF PRICKELS.ONE DAY HE TELLS DOMINICANS IS IT NONE OF THEIR DAMN BUSINESS,THE NEXT DAY HE IS ASKING DOMINICANS TO WORK WITH HIM FOR THE BENEFIT OF DOMINICA.ONE DAY TELLS DOMINICANS THAT THEY HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH,THE NEXT HE IS ASKING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO BOYCOT A PARTICULAR RADIO STATION.ONE DAY TELL US THAT NO LAW NO CONSTITUTION CAN TELL HIM WHAT TO DO ,THE NEXT DAY HE SAYS HE RESPECTS THE CONSTITUTION.WHENEVER THIS GUY SPEAKS,I PUT ON MY EAR MUFF.

    • forkit
      January 12, 2012

      te bwoy la foo

    • LawieBawie
      January 13, 2012

      You don’t put on any ear-muffs!! You damn liar!!! Then how come you can tell us everything that he supposedly said?

  32. Very concerned
    January 11, 2012

    He should have said that before the decision. He allowed Tony to go as far as saying that they were preparing for a stay of execution and appeal and now after, the fact, he says he would not have appealed.
    Some Dominicans are much more intelligent than Skerrit believes, this is cheap phychology to influence the decision of the opposition.
    With an appeal, it’s back to square one, stress, anxiety and in the end a real jump up.
    As a supporter of neither party, for me, enough is enough. Get ready for the next elections, with a sanitized voter list, no importation of voters, free access to DBS and no selling of passports for campaign financing and let the better side win.
    I’ll then be a P.I.P, party in power supporter.

  33. Country
    January 11, 2012

    How did Skerrit get to have a rally at such short space of the hearing yesterday? The Police Commissioner does not seem to have had any problems with that. Interesting times, really interesting times.

    • WIKILEAKS
      January 11, 2012

      Zor par las changay nons zor…same/similar postin back to back

    • January 12, 2012

      precisely

      but that nonsense will stop soon
      the crowd of the patriots is growing in numbers

    • Justice and Truth
      January 13, 2012

      @ Country

      What do you mean? The people gathered to await the verdict. Then when they heard the news they immediately organized a rally. Are you without common sense?

  34. Anonymous
    January 11, 2012

    Interesting times. How did Skerrit get to have a rally at such short notice? The Police Commissioner does not seem to have any problem with that. Interesting, very interesing my people.

  35. eee
    January 11, 2012

    He speaks on the behalf of his ignorant and POOR supporters who can hardly survive in this country. They see him as their God,and he keeps them poor. He does not speak on my behalf.

    • Observer
      January 11, 2012

      Interstingly, it is these same “ignorant and POOR supporters” the opposition is trying to woo at every turn to see things their way. So once the “igniorant and POOR supporters” see things the opposition way, then they suddenly by a strange magic wand are no longer “ignorant and POOR supporters”. What a magic formula.

      • Hmm
        January 11, 2012

        Its not a magic formula its call educating the poor and ignorant my dear praying that hopefully in time you do become educated and see the light. Have a great day.

      • ........
        January 12, 2012

        all what you guys can do is come on DNO an throw mapwi. go the financial center and question mr skerrit about issues. allu hidin behind the tables. speak out and let your voice be heard. he will listen to you. damn it!

    • possie TRUE VIBES
      January 11, 2012

      NOW I HAVE 2 WORDS FOR YOU ……. UTTER RUBBISH!!!!!! LEAVE US SO… WAT DE HELL WORKERS WAS DOING FOR MY COUNTRY, NOT A DAM THING!!!!! PUTTING US ON BLACKLIST!!!! 2 HELL WITH ALL WHO VEX!

  36. cocosec
    January 11, 2012

    u couda fool me

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