Justice Gerthel Thom has ruled that the application by the opposition for the production and disclosure of passports of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Education minister Peter St. Jean were dismissed.
The judgment was read by Justice Bernie Stephenson Brooks on behalf of Thom yesterday at the High Court in Roseau.
Although the application for the passport was dismissed, the chief elections officer is to provide a copy of Form 13 which is the nomination form to the petitioners within seven days.
Both parties were also ordered to bear their own costs.
The dual citizenship matter involving Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Education Minister Petter St Jean, Maynard Joseph and Ronald Green will be heard from September 5 and every day after until completion.
Meantime, counsel for the petitioners Geoffrey Letang spoke to reporters after the court proceedings and said his team will proceed to trial on the basis of disclosure of Form 13.
Letang is also confident that the petitioners will be successful despite the fact that the application for passport has not been ordered.
Lawyer for Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Education Minister Peter St Jean, Senior counsel Tony Astaphan also spoke on the matter.
Astaphan said his team is well prepared to deal with the matter.
Why is it that when the court decides against us we are furious? If you deem the court to be bias, why go to it.We often refer to the judge as the learned Judge. I have children and I know which parents I can approach when my children are involved. I also know the jack wagon parents that will never give their children wrong no matter what. If the judge rules UWP should just agree and move on. HEED WILTSHIRES ADVICE. REGROUP, CLIMB THE POLES FOR THE MANIFESTO AND COME GOOD. MAYBE I WILL VOTE NEXT ELECTIONS.
My 8 year old was able to make sense out of this ” Disqualifications for Representatives and Senators.
32.-
A person shall not be qualified to be elected or appointed as a Representative or Senator (hereinafter in this section referred to as a member) if he-
is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state;
is a minister of religion;
is an undischarged bankrupt, having been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law in force in Dominica;”
I’d like to say poor UWP and laugh at them for a while only because when they were in power they exhume arrogance and “ We in charge” attitude.The we in charge phrase came from the then prime minister Edison James. Also not forgetting instru’s (Earl Williams’) phrase “ We know how to cover our Tracks”.
Laughing at UWP comes not without repercussions – the derision of UWP would mean that I condone the obvious corruption and lawlessness that exist within the present administration- the manipulation of the justice system and the manhandling of the AG office by a private law firm. There is a lesson to be learned amidst this sad times in our political existence. The lesson is directed at all Dominicans to include those who see significance in condoning obvious misconduct and criminal like behavior only because of your support for the party in power – Red, Blue or Green. It is my wish that at the end of this lesson the people must realize that the political bickering and meandering can only be controlled by the use of our basic intelligence. The people must understand that absolute power cannot be given to a few individuals who think that they are above the law. Logic should dictate that whenever there obvious signs of absolute power and corruption those corrupt individuals must go whether through the voting process or forced resignation.
To those who sacrifice their time and life in exposing government misconduct (Lennox, Matt, Jerry et al) it is my hope that you remain just as vigilant and seemingly concerned even if your aligned Party is “in charge”.
I don’t consider myself old but as l ‘ve lived through several government administrations. I was old enough to witness the revolts and demonstrations against the Patrick John regime. In my own limited experiences I’ve come to understand that every administration has had their own shares of misconduct and insincerities. The interim government of OJ Seraphin had their own fare share of corruption. I would need a lot of space to list all the corruption that went down particularly during the out pouring of aid to Dominica after the Hurricane David. Though efficient in many ways the Freedom Party was sly and sleek in executing their miscarriages and corrupt practices. I’d say that because Mamo was fortunate to have inherited a lot of money she was not about self enrichment. Mamo had a tight grip on the ministers and the sharks around her. Kudos to her.
The UWP which was borne out of a few disgruntled Freedomites who could not get their way with Mamo came out shooting from the hip. So desperate because Mamo would not allow them to go plundering they came into power hungry to become millionaires quick. Dominicans did not like the high octane desperation and action of the UWP ; Rosie Douglas with the fire pusher Tony Astaphan went on the offence and highlighted the mass corruption within the UWP government. PJ had his faults and dictatorial traits; The OJ Seraphin was filled with bitterness and mistrust among the people and the interim government; The Freedom Party though ruled by an iron fisted lady had been stigmatized as a “ gwo Bouge” administration and so the poor people felt left out.
Never have I seen such blatant and bold face display of government corruption as seen with the present DLP administration. Although the UWP administration was reckless the current DLP administration is even more disregardful of the consequences of government misconduct. In fact over the last 8 years Dominica has become a lawless state. I believe that Rosie meant well and could have been able to contain the greed that existed among the current members and cabal of the DLP.
Rosie was not about self enrichment as his life prove that he was truly concerned about the wealth fare of others particularly the poor. I was optimistic about Rosie’s leadership. I also felt that Pierre Charles was an honorable man and would maintain some form of order. The Labor Part fell into the hands of people who are solely bent on material augmentation and self enrichment. A party lead by an avarice young man who is remotely controlled by two experienced attorneys who are themselves selfish, cheap , voracious and insatiable. The two lawyers have proven themselves to be insincere and indifferent to the plight of the poor , the unemployed , the underdevelopment and stagnation of Dominic
I think that the prime minister is getting away with too many things in this country. The laws are put in place for everyone and the prime minister is no exception. There is no justice here in Dominica and think it is high time God strike down all these liars and knock some sense into them let their conscience beat them so they will start telling the truth. Dominica is falling into a ditch and the majority of Dominicans are not seeing that. We need to wake up and these people need to put politics aside and do what is right.
The dual citizen matter involving Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit,Education Minister Petter St Jean,Maynard Joseph? and Ronald Green? What an insult!!!!!!!
Well boy! I tell you, is now dominica finnish< it's like anyone can get away with crimes in this country? Once the PM and his followers can go free with such an offence then i wonder where will this country go from there? Someone is watching for sure and this person sees and knows everything. Just the time to be right and acurate. Always remember time is longer than twin and wen twin finnishes time continues. Time will tell!! That's all i'm saying
A message to INJustice Gerthel Thom
It took you and your court 3 to 4 mouth to come up with this verdict!!.Thats the greatest insult to the Dominican people- i guess article 13 is already sex-ed up and waiting to be dimissed wen th e session resumes in september.It is not law, this is not fair, this cannot be right,this cannot be acceptable that the PM is barred from disclosing his passport which he said he has-ObAMA DISCLOSED HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE TO VERIFY THE SUSPISCION OF OPPOSING PARTIES, why cant the Pm disclose his passport? What is and where is this country heading.
REAL VOICE FROM THE WILDERNESS
THe justice system in Dominica will never ever get the respect from the International community and lawlessness and disorder is the thing of the day .Everybody is trying to beat the system and they are gladly doing.That’s why no law or constitution can stop people from doing what they want in this country.THe police is so divided right now that its not impossible for them to engage in a mutiny right now.The pm is going to beat the judicial system because their is no law to stop him.This case will be adjourned in september because of the hurricane season and the pm will be busy taking care of the needs of the people , getting plywood ,galvanize ,agri-support for farmers affected and therefore will not have time to deal with this caes. THen what happens next ? its too late its election time again and the case is of no effect.Thats how liers and thieves get away.BUT A GUILTY CONSCIENCE NEEDS NO ACCUSER.
Don’t u all think that it’s time that court matters be recorded and carried on tv, whether is live or afterwards?
Hahaha well look workers going to catch “malkady” now, fadda fadda what a ting. mind them old boys in the opposition doh start dropping dead from heart attack one by one.
LOL
fool
hello becarful wha you asking for because there are older men in labour party look one in the hospital all now annot stan to listen to his own lies, so please my people stop you all ignorrant and stand for truth and justic in our little beautiful island that we love so much, God help us all.
Do remember that the case is that of the opposition to prove. He is not required to provide anything, nor is he required to say a word. and silence is not a presumption of guilt. I wouldn’t have expected the justices to rule in any other way, as they are themselves, well versed where law is concerned. They are called Learn Head Judges for for obvious reasons. Mr Letang should have known better than to expect a different ruling as it relates to disclosure.
I would love to be in the courts during the cross examination of the PM in particular. This is where he can’t lie under oath. The lies got to stop somewhere.
I don’t have a legal mind but I was wondering- can the counsel for the plaintiff replay a the video clip of tony Astaphan’s opposing view on the matter; particularly during opening or closing arguments. I get the feeling that the judge may not allow that because Tony is not the one on trial.
Someone with a legal background please educate me.
Isn’t there some ethical or moral requirement that a counsel can’t do a double take on an issue. What will be the significant difference between Tony’s argument for the matter and his argument against the matter.