New judge assigned to hear Dominica election petition matter

Professor Eddy Ventose. Photo credit: St. Lucia Times

Resident high court judge in St. Kitts and Nevis, Professor Eddy Ventose, has been assigned to hear the 2019 election petition matters filed by the opposition United Workers Party (UWP).

This, after resident judge, Bernie Stephenson, recused herself from the matter and attorney general Levi Peter wrote to the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court asking that Dominica – born Justice Wynante Adrien-Roberts, who is the resident judge in Dominica, not be assigned to do the matter.

The UWP is seeking to have the court overturn the results in St. Joseph, Mahaut, Morne Jaune, La Plaine, Castle Bruce, Salybia, Roseau Valley, Roseau Central, Roseau South and Wesley constituencies.

The court had initially set June 18 and 19, 2020 to do “housekeeping” and hear from the lawyers in the matter.

On Thursday, all parties met via Zoom before Justice Eddy Ventose who, after listening to all the parties, gave directions to have the matter proceed.

The court also granted leave to Steven Isidore, the lawyer for DBS radio, to file submissions asking the court to “strike out” the claim against DBS radio. A date was also set for the petitioners to respond to that claim.

The matter was adjourned to July 7, 2020, when the court is expected to hear arguments from the respondents who are asking that the petitioners’ claims be struck out.

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25 Comments

  1. Ibo France
    June 21, 2020

    This judge in my opinion engages in political activism from the bench. It is one-sided and dangerous.

    Check out many of his most recent decisions. Some of them defy common sense.

  2. Bwa-Banday
    June 21, 2020

    Everything in Dca is broken and rather than allowing someone with local knowledge with no party political affiliation to handle the matter the Chief Justice opted for someone whom it is alleged was “recommended” by the Lil Willy whose other half is being daykarlayed by the cabal Rooster from the Valley. Having said that, I will sit on the branch next to window with a perfect view of the room’s interior to witness whatever reaction of the Rooster and the “other half” when the verdict is announced.

    Interesting times in Dca I must say. Where are the resurrected Mal, Pocosion, Peltier, Joey, Tumba, Unisef and others who had the heart of stone and fear was nonexistence.

    • 72nations72elements
      June 22, 2020

      NO PARTY AFFILIATION? these days it is VERY hard to find a public servant of that nature. ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG ONES. A lot of them are politically appointed. from the regristar to the head nurse, from the Director of boards to the mere messenger. These days it is mostly pull string. Even the NEP’s are politically appointed. Many put there to report back to el chapo up stairs.

  3. anonymous
    June 20, 2020

    So those cabalists had prefered a foreign judge to sit on the case than their own Dominican judge , Something stinks high hell..

    • 72nations72elements
      June 22, 2020

      the local are prejudice, like your comment. you called them “cabalists” We want an impartial judge. One who isnt influenced by greed or money or association. A proper judge. Not one that might act like a speaker of the house.

  4. anonymous
    June 20, 2020

    Early elections, ha ha thanks to covid, no dias-poorans :lol: :-D

  5. Ibo France
    June 20, 2020

    This is the judge who ruled that it was perfectly ok for Dr. Denzil Douglas to be a member of parliament in St. Kitts-Nevis while holding a diplomatic passport of Dominica.

    Not one, not two but three justices of the OECS Supreme Court flatly rejected and overturned this biased judgment.

    Tony Astaphan was lead attorney on this case for the defendant, Dr. Douglas.

    This judge is a loose cannon. He causes a lot of collateral damage.

  6. Bwa-Banday
    June 19, 2020

    I will stay moo moo for now and see what this judge says in his summation. My issue is not necessarily with the judges, well except Bernie “Crook” but how the CCJ and the lower courts under its umbrella pander to the piper like its their personal money paying the said judges salary and not the people’s money. I am watching 8) 8) 8)

  7. Man bite dogs
    June 19, 2020

    Something is seriously wrong with those wacko criminals saying that they don’t trust new judge once again they complaining he might be prejudice against them Linton, followers saying, but I suspected it is a sign of weakness they afraid.

  8. Ibo France
    June 19, 2020

    The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Count that usually takes forever to deal with urgent matters, has moved with alacrity to grant the government of Dominica its wishes.

    Justice Wynante Roberts, daughter of the soil, is not good enough. This should not come as any surprise. This corrupt maladministration has a preference for foreigners and a deep seated disdain and distrust for Dominicans.

    Skerrit’s close and highly paid advisers, contractors to build public houses, bridges and roads, diplomats, lawyers to prosecute bogus cases brought against members of the Opposition, etcetera.

    The chosen Judge for this hearing is very controversial . Many of his judgments have caused much consternation and sent shockwaves through the local population in St. Kitts, I am told.

    We have a broken, untrustworthy, unreliable justice system in the Caribbean. Has the final outcome of this case has already been assured? We wait with bated breath.

  9. Wrong is wrong
    June 19, 2020

    The government of Dominica has made it very difficult for people to trust or accept the verdict of Justice Eddy Ventos, who in my opinion does not have a very good track record. If the government is powerful enough to reject the Dominican born resident judge, isn’t it enough proof that they are powerful enough to select justice Eddy Ventos and knowing how justice Venos was severely criticized in March of 2020 in his ruling in St. Kitts/ Nevis, Justice Venos is forced to deliver in favor of the government who selected him to deliver on their behalf? https://www.nowgrenada.com/2020/03/occba-condemns-recent-attacks-on-justice-eddy-ventose/
    I think this whole thing is corrupt from the outset and the government and their attorneys know the government is guilty of election fraud and theft and they just want a judge that will deliver on their behalf

  10. Concerned DOMINICAN
    June 19, 2020

    I pray this Judge is not predugist or influenced by Anthony Astaphan and the Chief Justice and has a mind of his own to execute justice for once in Dominica. The Lord has been watching this Caribbean leaders with their corrupted and collective irresponsibility.
    I will Pray for the Hands of God to direct your actions and ask God to cover you because justice seems to become a sin for this leaders and may try to victimise you for doing the right think. I pray your conscience will be your guide.

    • Me
      June 19, 2020

      Apparently judge Ventose was born in Martinique. Would he be entitled to a French passport too?

    • June 20, 2020

      Right here, I hear you saying that the verdict must be called with a victory for the UWP, or else the Justice would be sinful if it were for the DLP. I don’t think that God attends to those kinds of prayer, in that you told Him what you want to happen with that case–too bad!

  11. Alibaba & the forty thieves
    June 19, 2020

    Why would Alibaba and his forty thieves not want Dominica – born Justice Wynante Adrien-Roberts, who is the resident judge in Dominica to hear the case? Is Alibaba and his forty thieves telling the world that they know and agree that the election stolen? Are they by their actions telling us that justice in Dominica is NOT based on evidence but rather on the ability to buy justice? Are they by their actions telling the world that they know that Dominica – born Justice Wynante Adrien-Roberts is NOT for sale and therefore cannot be purchased like those foreigners that are only concerned about doing the dirty work for them? Alibaba and his forty thieves know how to buy Dominicans because see how they bought Judas Iscarrot, who was a strong UWP and deputy leader of the party? So the fact that they feel that they cannot buy asking Dominica – born Justice Wynante Adrien-Roberts, further confirms their deep rooted corruption and confirms how they have made the judiciary a den of thieves

    • True Politics
      June 19, 2020

      Are you implying that the local judge has already been bought?
      We need to be careful what we say. We might be saying more by what we have not said.

    • June 20, 2020

      So the UWP intimidated a judge forcing her to recuse herself from the case. Are you saying that the plan was to get the other resident judge to sit on the case. How do you know that she would deliver a judgement in favor of UWP? How do you know that because of the politically charged atmosphere created by the UWP that this judge would not also recuse herself?

    • June 20, 2020

      How is God going to please you guys? The man is Dominican, the case is between the two leading Political Parties of Dominica. Pray, tell me how would he judge that case without getting the blame for belonging supporting that side that won the case? Because you guys do not understand that the jury calls the verdict, even if the Judge counseled the debate, and what they conclude is what must ve done.

  12. As I See it
    June 19, 2020

    Right now I can’t trust any judge in the eastern Caribbean as it is clear that Roosevelt and Tony have them all in their back pocket. If the alleged election theft took place in Dominica who is the best judge to deal with the matter than a Dominican who knows, hears and has no where to run to? I am surprised Roosevelt and Tony do not want a Dominica judge .

  13. Jonathan Y St Jean
    June 18, 2020

    Why should DBS think it does not have to answer to the petition brought by the opposition? Two election observer mission reports, which said that those elections we’re free but not fair, highlighted the fact that the opposition should be given access to the country’s media, which is what DBS is. As far as I know, DBS was not sold but belongs to the citizens of Dominica. As a statutory body, if the board and leadership of the radio station allow the Skerritt government to control the day to day affairs there, that is their business, but they have had enough time to comply with and correct the deficiency highlighted by the observer missions. I hope the new judge upholds the opposition petition to have the radio station answer for their culpability in helping to subvert democracy in the country. If the judge decides otherwise, then the judicial system will be seen to have sold its soul to corruption and shown itself not to be fair.

    • True Politics
      June 19, 2020

      Who are the two observers who said that the election was free but fair?
      Do not spin in

      • Jonathan Y St Jean
        June 19, 2020

        @True Politics, are you talking to me? I would like to suggest that you wear glasses when reading my submission. You don’t accurately reflect anything that I’ve said so I very much doubt that you are addressing me 😁. Please read my post again. Please

      • Marigot pickney
        June 20, 2020

        True politics
        Read properly it is election mission free but not fair

    • June 20, 2020

      It is the right of DBS to challenge the petition. That is why we have courts. This dictatorial attitude of the UWP is frightening. Once the almighty UWP accuses someone of wrongdoings they should go straight to jail without trial.

    • June 20, 2020

      @ Y St. Jean, there you go again!

      If it happens by your terms, then everything is good and proper. But “if the judge decides otherwise, then the judicial system will be seen to have sold its soul to corruption and shown itself not to be fair”. How is that, the conclusion of a smart mind? Not at all. This is the mind of a small child

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