The High Court of Antigua and Barbuda has halted the prosecution of Methoni Vernon for murder, highlighting significant violations of due process, unlawful rendition, and breaches of immigration laws and procedures.
In a ruling issued on February 10, 2025, Justice Tunde A. Bakre determined that Vernon was illegally transferred from Dominica to Antigua in 2016, bypassing proper legal extradition channels and immigration protocols.
Counsel Andrew O’Kola, representing Mr. Methoni Vernon, stated that the key question before the Court was: “Should Methoni Vernon’s prosecution be halted as an abuse of process due to his unlawful rendition from Dominica to Antigua, infringing on established extradition processes, immigration laws, and his constitutional rights?”
The Court concluded that continuing with the prosecution would constitute an abuse of the judicial process, noting that Antiguan authorities neglected to adhere to the established legal and immigration procedures regarding Vernon’s return to their jurisdiction.
Mr. Vernon, a Jamaican citizen, had been living in Dominica with his partner and child when he was apprehended by Dominican police in 2016. Despite being told he was being deported to Jamaica, he was instead forcibly taken to Antigua, where he was arrested upon arrival. The evidence presented to the Court showed that no formal extradition request was filed, and Dominican and Antiguan authorities collaborated to circumvent legal deportation and immigration protocols.
In his ruling, Justice Bakre stressed that the failure to adhere to immigration laws and proper extradition procedures rendered the prosecution of Vernon fundamentally unjust and unlawful. The ruling referenced the case of Bennett v Horseferry Road Magistrates’ Court [1994] 1 A.C. 42, which stipulates that a court must stay proceedings when a defendant is unlawfully brought into the jurisdiction.
Mr. Andrew O’Kola, lead counsel for Vernon, welcomed the ruling and criticized the authorities’ violations of immigration and extradition laws: “This case serves as a serious reminder that states should not bypass due process to achieve their goals. The immigration laws and protocols in both Dominica and Antigua were entirely overlooked in what constitutes a clear example of unlawful rendition. The established legal channels exist for a reason, and the Court has justifiably refused to accept this blatant violation of Mr. Vernon’s rights.” He further remarked, “Immigration laws aim to ensure transparency, fairness, and respect for fundamental rights. What transpired in this case was not a lawful deportation but a deliberate, unlawful transfer orchestrated by law enforcement. The Court has affirmed that such misconduct cannot be tolerated.”
This ruling sets an important precedent in cases involving improper deportation and disguised extradition. It reinforces the principle that the judiciary must protect against executive overreach and prevent unlawful state actions from compromising the justice system. Justice Bakre emphasized that the legal procedures governing deportation, extradition, and immigration controls must be strictly followed; any deviation undermines the rule of law and the integrity of the criminal justice system.
“Regardless of the severity of the allegations against an individual, the law must be upheld. If the State desires to prosecute someone, it must do so within the lawful framework of immigration and extradition procedures,” Mr. O’Kola added.
With the stay of proceedings granted, Mr. Vernon has been released.
The defense team has called for increased accountability and strict adherence to legal procedures in future extradition and immigration cases to prevent similar abuses from happening again
But..hold on nuh. A habit Dominica and Antigua have man of kidnapping and human trafficking. A good time that man? What ever happened to the Choksi case? Choksi i not hearing you!
well, take him back to Dominica and execute the extradition properly. Let us hear what the appeal court has to say as I am assuming that’s where this matter is heading. So is he now legally in the jurisdictions of Antigua or is he on his way to Jamaica? That’s what you call freedom of movement only for criminals.
Point – you are pointless as usual. Why is it that anything associated with the present Dominican government is mostly corrupt, unlawful, damaging, immoral, unethical and beyond the pale.
Choksi AGAIN
Choksi AGAIN
Choksi AGAIN
Choksi AGAIN
Choksi AGAIN
Choksi AGAIN
Choksi AGAIN
Mehul Choksi, all over again.
The court must find ways of severely punishing those in Dominica and Antigua involved in those violation of due process.
These two heads of state are rotten to the core. They suffer from NPD ( Narcissistic Personality Disorder). They have exaggerated feelings of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a diminished ability to empathize with other people’s feelings.
ADMIN: Mental health disorders should only be diagnosed by qualified health professionals normally in a clinical setting.
Narcissism as a personality trait (or description) is separate from the diagnosis of NPD: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/narcissism
what happened?
Good!! Respect DUE PROCESS.
Antigua and Dominica again in shenanigans.
Choksi anyone?
Because THEY CHOSE to circumvent the law/due process, an alleged murderer may never face trial.
SMFH!!
The comment I was looking for.
I agree with the court’s decision 100%,law enforcement in Dominica is too damn lazy and slack.Just imagine an inspector of police cannot prepare an indictable case file,and that sxxx started when UWP dismissed Chief Blanchard and Deputy chief Valarie,and replaced them with 2 blue UWP puppets.What a constable could do in the 70’s and 80’s an inspector cannot.Between 1995 and 2000 UWP made sure the police force was made into a political force,since then police officers have become do nothing a holes.Before it was a pleasure for police officers to go to court today they do not even prefere charges.Getting a salary for doing nothing.When it is good day it’s good,when it is bad say so.
Calling these present crop of political rulers in the Caribbean rogues is much too genteel. These guys talk and act like diehard gangsters, thugs and felons.
They have been accused of engaging in massive thievery, kidnapping, bogus arrest of law abiding citizens, election malfeasance, bribery, and various other kinds of lawlessness and acts of immorality.
A survey was done recently which revealed that respect and confidence for these wolves in sheep skin is rapidly diminishing.
The region, once a beacon of joy, peace and hope, is now a place of crime, poverty and hopelessness for the foreseeable fuuree.
Dominica again? In illegal deal between Antigua and Dominica? Can we get anything right with this corrupt administration that has undoubtedly corrupt the judiciary and everything on island? You remember Choksi?
Those dotish policemen and Minister of National Security Rayburn Blackmoore cannot do anything right! All they are good at is harassing and brutalizing Dominicans!
Deja vu? Mehul Choksi for you all over again!
These are two rogue nations that have no respect for the rule of law. Both are corrupt to the core. Can you even imagine what they do outside the glare of the law?
One would have thought that these same two police forces and two tainted rulers would have learnt their lesson from the Mehul Choksi’s debacle.This latest incident proves beyond any doubt that we have two asinine thugs and two rubber ducky, pliable police chiefs piloting the ship of state.
History is a grim reminder of what happens to those who think they have no law but themselves.[ Adolph Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Ferdinand Marcos, Saddam Hussein]
Don’t forget/leave out Donald Trump