Attorney General Francine Baron-Royer says the surviving petitions against Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Minister Petter Saint Jean will be successfully defended and that the opposition UWP cannot properly preserve their case.
“We believe that the allegations that were made are not capable of being supported in court and of course we believe that as a result of that those matters will also be dismissed,” the attorney general said at a GIS press conference on Monday.
Prime Minister Skerrit and Minister Saint Jean are to stand trial for allegations of holding dual nationalities while in public service. This is an act forbidden by the Constitution of Dominica.
The courts ruled out three of the UWP’s five petitions against government, one of which its political leader Ron Green said was discarded on a technicality.
The UWP has still not made a concrete decision on if or when it will appeal or re-file the petitions with amendments.
@ Rasta Man
I do not follow Dominican politics – i just had questions regarding the why now, why not sooner aspect of the matter. It’s seems like a waste of time and money to me, if all that could have been prevented way before. You said that ……”didn’t you hear the prime minister say not even the constitution of Dominica can prevent him from being nominated for elections when the UWP brought that info to light and ask him to disqualify himself”….
the PM is not above the constitution and if the opposition had that information and did not use the constitution at that time…then they do not deserve to be in power. There is a court of law to decide matters, and no man or woman is above the law. I guess the UWP may have been confident that they would win elections, but now that they lost…. it’s 4 yrs later and they are now pusuing legal action.
The UWP …should not have to ask him to disqualify himself…they should have used the courts and the law right then and there. There are avenues to get around these things.
Now if you are telling me that the court process was started way back when the UWP found out about it, and the case is only now moving forward, that’s a different matter. But if they are only taking action after the elections have been decided …then they shouldn’t be running the country either…because they do not know how to use the Constitution to better the country.
Skeritt is just my man, just a man. Dominicans are trying to make him into a God….and if that is the case…. then … i say the best man won….
but that is my opinion … since weakness is something i won’t excuse if i see that the person who is weak chose the road with less resistance
@gwadaman: i from vielle case and skerrit mother from vielle case and skerrit father from vielle case….
to many lies and speculations. get the facts, skerrit lies to much.
Imagine ag is out there giving the verdict before the issues are dealt with according to the process of the law. Things may be going good for the ag and crew but for goodness sake get down to the buisiness of the state. Learn frm the other caribbean island, Jamaica, Barbados, and Trininidad,,,,
Will the AG start to work for the people of Dominica.
will the Ag defend the issues of the state and be for the people instead of just bathing in ploitical issues! Hope the state is winning more cases under her reign? I am longing for the various ministers and those in Politics to outline clearly their role and function. The Ag i think should have the best interest of Dominica at hand. How senior is the ag – i would like to know!
Ron Green Peace Corps….I, [state your name], do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, domestic and foreign, that I take this obligation freely and without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge my duties in the Peace Corps by working with the people of [the host country] as partners in friendship and in peace… Oath to be taken by all peace corps volunteers
Every other country out there call us Dominicans pupets.Thats so because people say we have a man thats not our nationality taking us for a ride.Ask for AG herself,she have children that will be big tommorow so let her think they will escape the hard time she and her friends putting in Dominica.
Fate that eating us up now with dat mistake those no brainers cause to happen with their voting.Next level dat there so there nothing no one can do to stop them people.God will handle dem nice and easy.
@rasta man: Man you are so on point. He got the french passport in 2006 thats was the time he sworn allegiance to france. He thinks all Dominicans are fools so he can do what ever he feel like. The court will decide.
@gwadaman: Please read the french constitution. What you wrote on here is incorrect. The french constitution clearly states that if you were born abroad and one of your parents is a french citizen cannot claim citizen ship until the age of 18. The pm claim his french citizenship in 2006 there fore according to the Dominican constitution he is not eligible to hold elected office in Dominica. That is the issue at hand. Do your research read the facts.
so tell me something if mr prime minister and mr st.jean has dual citizenship what does mr ron green have as far as i am hearing he is holding citizenship for another country also so he and all his gangs that is waring against skerrit better go sit their ass down and stop being a pain in the ass.all of them look like crabs in a barrel.
well, i am not too sure as to what is going on here. as much as i know and am sure of,the french system is they accept what they call blood rights,meaning,if one of your parents is a french national,weither you were born in a french territory or not you automatically are french, you can make your passport whenever you want, i know that this is the case with mr.skerit, so whats the issue?
@chemist:
coutresy wikipedia free encyclopedia
“In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.
The term has traditionally been used to refer to any person who holds a general power of attorney to represent a principal in all matters. In the common law tradition, anyone who represents the state, especially in criminal prosecutions, is such an attorney. Although a government may designate some official as the permanent attorney general, anyone who comes to represent the state in the same way is referred to as such, even if only for a particular case.”
Now i don’t know why you people really think that in our system of government that you can really separate the man from the title…Roosevelt skerrit is not just an individual… He is head of the executive branch of the government of the country… essentially she is representing government and the interests of the government to defend the person who leads it! In essence she is doing her job.
Some of us just can’t see things without colored glasses on.
@Jupe: Well,remember she is a political appointee,not an elected official…What that means is,she is the chief law officer of the Govt….(Get my drift?)
Though She represents the ‘People”..,She has to abide by,and defend the Constitution of the Country as well…..With all that said,….The People of Dominica can demand her resignation,if needs be……Remember,she gets paid with tax payers dollars……
All the best to you…..
@JUST GIVING MY 2 CENTS:
they are only now persuing it cuz he only got that french passport about 3 years ago.and i don’t know if you were death at the time but didn’t you hear the prime minister say not even the constitution of Dominica can prevent him from being nominated for elections when the UWP brought that info to light and ask him to disqualify himself.the man is arrogant and has to hold on to power at all cost cuz it looks like he needs to cover up his tracks somemore.the same court he now has to go to will now decide his fate.the same court he said couldn’t prevent him from being nominated.if you didn’t hear call
q95 fm and sure the have recordings and can play it for you to hear.the man has a french passport which he lied about the time he became a french citizen.based on his statement when he this story first surfaced he said he became a french citizen about lets say a week after he was born cuz his mom was living in guadeloupe.any right thinking dominican answer this question.are you gonna be a french citizen leave guadeloupe to come dominica and have a child then go back soon after leaving you infant child in dominica?
the fact is his mom went there after he was born and off age that she could leave him with his aunt who raised him so she could go to guadeloupe and work to make a better life for herself and her family.and if he was a french citizen in 1972 like he claimed to have been why is it he need to get a french visa to travel to french department back in 2006/07?
I didn’t know the Attorney General’s job was be the lawyer or defend an individual.
I’ve always thought an Attorney General’s job it to defend or be the lawyer for the “GOVERNMENT” and the “PUBLIC” as a whole.
You would think the Attorney General’s Office would impartially investigate the matter and report to the public either way whether the individuals in question are in violation of the law or not. I may be wrong, but have no knowledge that this was done.
OK madam AG have a little mercy on UWPwee nuh.
I am very concerned. The AG keeps saying We, We, We. I wonder why that is. Isn`t the AG supposed to be working for the interest the state and not private individuals? I don`t know, someone educate me on the AG responsibility in this office please, is she allowed to be so partisan?
@CuCum: what u talkin about???The Pm self admit that he has a french passport.
@tell Me: In many instances that AG has been defending the DLP and her boss Skerritt. Certainly not Dominica. In fact, as a public servant appointed as AG, Francine Baron-Royer knows that she should not be commenting on the issues of the petitions especially dual citizenship, since Skerritt was at the time going up for elections not as the PM, not as a Minister of GOVT. but as a DLP candidate. Will the AG be part of the team defending Skerritt and ST. Jean? Will the tax payers $$$$$ be paying for the court case of those two people? How on earth could those things happen so blatantly. how could those things happen in a ‘Democratic country’. are we living in a democratic country? is that true? Did the AG hold up the bible swearing that she would uphold the Constitution and Laws of the land? The AG remains mute on important national issues like fraud, money laundering, acquiring assets and more assets through dubious means by persons in public office, but opens her mouth about petitions and who would win. The AG’s role is to respect the Constitution and operate accordingly to protect this nature Isle, not to protect a few people who feel they have ‘power and could trample on the rights of others. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on that AG. Instead of being a role model for the young women, she is disappointing to all Dominicans. Please protect Madame AG the majority, not defend at all cost the few.
Eh Eh look bacanal. Look Majji!! those people really think Dominicans stupid. I cannot believe in this day and age politicians still buying people. No morals for a woman who supposedly have some sort of education and brains. eh bey weh!!!
This chick has no idea what her job is. Alas
@tell Me:
Maybe I would be a bit more subtle in directing comments towards the AG, at least for now but it is a very good question you are asking. Is this a case against the State (Dominica) or two individuals? Am a bit confused, if she is the country’s AG and these are cases against these two individuals why is she making comments? Maybe a legal mind should step in here, because I would really like to know!! Anybody, any legal mind(s)???
@The Third Side:
And maybe a forth side too, it seems she is not the only person who knows what she is talking about!! Time will tell, I hope DNO will re-surface these comments when time do tell!!
Does anyone know the role of the AG in a country??? If so, you do can you please explain?? I think I have been really confused bout his/her role or maybe I’m just ignorant.
Dominicans need to stop playing politics with the future of dominica.What is going on with the U W P is a classic example off that.The current PM is the best Dominica have seen they are doing everything can to get him out of office just to score political points.
@tell Me: The AG is representing Skerritt and her pocket. That AG has yet to refute or help to answer the burning questions that her father Frank Baron posed to Tony Astaphan about the BIN BOBOL — refunds, who wrote the letter etc. etc. etc. What example is that AG showing to our young women, when she openly and boldly supports at all costs actions of defrauding the Treasury and the State of $$$$$$$$ owed to it? Corruption is rampant in Dominica as revealed by the investigations of our revered journalist. The Bin BObol, Fertilizer Bobol, crooked land deals, ownership of villas, money laundering, people in public office getting rich overnight through dubious means are all being consistently talked about in the public, yet that AG have says nothing, absolutely nothing to refute those statements. In fact, she cannot refute and refuse to comment on those things because Dominicans conclude that those statements made are factual. That AG does not serve Dominica, but a PM. Her priority is her fat salary at the end of the month. If nothing was done wrong by a few friends in power, why the culprits later ran to pay some $$$$$ to the treasury to hide their shame and irresponsible behaviours because of those factual statements revealed? Instead of the court taking the necessary actions, the culprits were allowed to quickly run and pay whatever they defrauded the state of. A big SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on any woman, especially an AG in public life, who uses her position to shield and protect those who do wrong or engage in corrupt practices.
An AG should act always in accordance to and respect for the CONSTITUTION and LAWS of the land. Dominicans are totally disappointed in that AG. Our honest, loving women of integrity are expressing outright disgust in that AG’s words and actions. Her Farther Baron must be ASHAMED of her. She has allowed greed and her blind admiration for the PM to cloud her better judgment. Instead of being a good role model for our young women who need positive direction, she has allowed her greedy ways to predominate over her spiritual faculties. Most Dominicans thought that the AG would be the one, of all persons, to uphold and demand respect for our LAWS any and every time, but they have been taken for a ride. Dominicans expected better from you madame AG. You have failed Dominica and Dominicans miserably. What legacy would you have left? Don’t you think of your credibility at all? What would you tell your children about service to country, law-abiding, fairplay, honesty, integrity, accountability, respect for law, working hard honestly to earn a living, desist from lying, cheating and all the good attributes that a citizen should strive for? SHAME ON YOU. SHAME.
Am asking the same question again who dose the A G represent is it Skerrit or the people of Dominica so is she coming to talk all her bull crap about a case that dont even have a set date as yet why is she runing her mouth all because she has breath this woman need to step down she is not serving the people of Dominica she is serving A man that give her a Job and she has to do what he say not what she thinks but madam A G your time also coming to pack up and go because you has no use to the Country
Dominican Fishers terrorized at gun point and many disappear
Mountains given to french to quarry at the expense of the health and livelihood of dominicans
Non tendered multimillion dollar road, airport, colas
A media friend told me that the case against the PM and the La Plaine MP is more politically driven than any thing of substance and this is the only leg the case has moving forward (politics)….it gives the uwp a platform to speak on, just like bin bobol.
So he thinks that the UWP will lose the case and they will have to pay legal cost of the gentlemen, putting the UWP in a big financial hole.
And he thinks the other side is playing politics as well.
QUESTIONS:
What do you people make of this?
If there is strong evidence that they do not posses such dual citizen, why don’t they just present the evidence and case close.
Are they setting up the uwp and pro uwp media house for a big downfall?
Is this good politics?
So there is always a Third Side
The AG is up to something, she knows what she is talking about.
Judges on sale? Or already bought?
I heard the french man state with his voice that he is a french citizen since 1972.
Is he going to retract and lie under oath?
Bring out the treason act.
She is simply a square peg in a round hole…She is preoccupied with matters which is none of her business,and the state matters she separates herself from them…While all this is going on,she is being paid with tax payers money..Dominica is heading down a dangerous path and if there is not divine intervention, chaos and anarchy will reign supreme,because our leaders have no vision..
The people need to demand that this …AG leaves office…
… that thing is so clear
God is watching us, we are not the masters of our own destiny…….the courts in Dominica are charged with the task of dispensing and upholding justice and when it fails to do so the public looses faith in the the judicial system.
The fact of the matter is that PM Skerrit NEVER applied for or travelled on a French passport as an adult. He NEVER had a French passport as an adult.
PM Skerrit always travelled with a Dominican passport with a Chengen VISA.
The Opposition cannot prove that PM Skerrit in under the Allegiance of a Foreign Power namely France.
I am not aware of any date that has been set for the dual citizenship case that the UWP has brought against the PM and Peter St. Jean. Petitions have not yet been litigated – either way. But everyone seems to know exactly what the the verdict will be. that is jail for the PM. is this a case of setting up ourselves for disappointment in the event that the verdict does not go our way? How can we pre-judge the outcome of any case with such clarity?. It simply goes to say that our media houses/practitioners leaves much to be desired in their reporting or commentary on topical issues. As a parting comment. I note that Severin Mckenzie is investing in an economy he and others say is not ging anywhere close to where he can recover his investments. What is it that has changed his mind?
I am curious …. are they the only 2 Ministers to have ever been in this situation or is it simply because they are Labourites that the issue is being discussed and pursued with so much vigore. Let’s hope that moving forward, all the ministers who are in the wrong and hung out to dry like they are doing to these 2. I have no political affilliations in Dominica but i am simply curious to know why is it only now that the Constitution of Dominica is being used. If this was known before, why didn’t the opposition and others seek a court injunction to stop the elections or postpone it until such issues were resolved. Why is it that it’s only now – in his second term that this is being made such a major issue? If he is in breach of the laws of the land, then the laws must prevail…and if IT IS TRUE… people like that should not lead a nation, nor too should those who sat by and let the issue get to this satge.
Neither the labour nor the freedom nor the UWP should be elected – Dominica needs a man/ woman for the people and of the people – She doesn’t need none of those power hungry so called politicians leading her into the future….
This AG will go on record as the worse that Dominica has had since Independence..She has totally forgotten her role with respect of state issues,but she is grossly preoccupied with Skerrits private/individual business..Madam AG the nation needs hearing nothing from you re Petter and Skerrits dual citizenship issues,,,They and their lawyers will deal with that..Go back to your job description…
Wow,those are pretty strong and confident statements.
Will her opinions,be proven correct?…what do you think?.
What,in your opinion,is her basis for formulating those opinions.
And do you believe she should be neutral in all this,or should she be representing Skerrit and St.Jean?.
Please save all parties involved litigation costs and wasted time. The Prime Minister should just present his documentary evidence to the Opposition, who would then be advised by their Counsel to withdraw the petition.
If that’s is so Madame AG, apparently they a lying on the PM & mr Education Min. They got no dual citizenship and they have nothing to worry about in court..