Hearings into a matter involving Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit before the Integrity in Public Office Commission (IPO) have been postponed until further notice.
Public hearings were set to begin on Monday, January 25 but according to a notice of proceedings issued by the IPO, the matter is now postponed.
No date was given as to when the hearings will actually begin.
PM Skerrit is before the commission on a complaint brought by radio personality and journalist Lennox Linton, who claimed that he had used his official influence as chairman of Cabinet to secure concessions for a business concern in which it is alleged that he holds ownership interest.
Hearings on the matter were expected to begin on December 17, 2012, but were pushed back to January 7 after the prime minister’s lead attorney, Senior Counsel Tony Astaphan, and his team, threatened to take the matter to court to seek an injunction to have it quashed.
The lawyers had written to the IPO challenging the legitimacy of two of its members saying the proposed hearings were ‘unlawful.’ They also went to court seeking a judicial review.
The commission subsequently ruled that they (the lawyers) were entitled to be heard and the hearings were pushed back.
However the matter took another turn when it was reported that secret and confidential proceedings before the Commission concerning the prime minister fell into the hands of Linton and read on his radio show.
This prompted an exchange between Linton and Astaphan with Linton accusing the senior counsel of the alleged leak. Astaphan responded by describing the accusation as a ‘cock and bull’ story.
In the face of all this, the IPO ruled that it would be going ahead with hearings since it has the jurisdiction, as entitled by law, to proceed.
However the notice issued by the IPO shows that it has reversed its own decision to have the hearings started.
Obviously the IPO cannot move ahead. If there is going to be a JR, then it stands to reason that this matter infront the IPO be put on hold until the decision from the JR.
If the IPO went ahead and the JR proves successful, the the IPO’s decision would be null and void.
So in the interest of precaution,it’s just a wise decision by the IPO to wait until the JR is heard in April. Besides, legally the 2 cases cannot be going through at the same time…through the Commission and the Courts.
Maybe you are right; I have started to drift away from the current administration, which good reason. People are being oppressed left right and centre and Lennox Linton is perfect example. Why should be beg the IPO for this inquiry. He doesn’t need all this evidence? He might as well be solving the thing himself then no need for IPO. Its their job to investigate. And what has the courts got to do with delaying the matter. The PM throwing his weight around again I suppose. I guess when I was younger I was labour and felt that I had to be because it was the choice of my parents. Now I am a clear thinking adult using my own rational thinking mind; I know that any such allegations put forward to any political leader, an honourable person would have no problems being investigated. Actually skerrit would welcome this opportunity because it would be his chance to shut Lennox Linton up for good when he is vindicated by the committee. I am not impressed with people using their power and influence to obstruct justice. He is being given special treatment and he is not above the constitution so should be subject to same rules as everyone else. There is no way on his present salary he can afford such a massive purchase. Please prove to us that lennox is wrong and you do not own those villas. Why has Lennox got to beg for this matter to be heard. Are these committees serving any purpose? can’t this not be dealt with outside Dominica? I am sorry I cannot back anyone who can lie and manipulate so blatantly. What Lennox is saying makes perfect sense unless you are so baised that you refuse to see the truth. Listen to all the past speeches from the Prime Minister challenging Lennox to take his concerns to the IPO. The woman from Barbados ..Sopraya something sounds like she is lying from her teeth and Mr Astaphan just sounds like an attorney who studied in Nigeria. He is too good at twisting and distracting from the truth. Sort of like a master con artist under the disguise of a lawyer. I am on the fence..right now I have no political alliance. Just observing the facts as they are presented.
By the way, I believe that the IPO should fulfil its legal obligation and mandate and push ahead with the inquiry unless the PM and his people succeed with blocking this investigation by court order!!! In the absence of a court order, nothing should stop the investigation.
To ‘FEDUP’, I must commend you for being open to listening to Q as so many Labour supporters are too weak to stand on the own and think independent of the party which they support. I hope that you will now assist in enlightening others of their rights to independence and to better representation which accepts that they are servants of the people and that as such, they are accountable to those whom they ‘represent’. Thank God that we still have persons such as yourself who are willing to stand and be counted for the country. We must now realise though that many are not listening to Q because the government supporters who wish to keep the people with wool pulled over their eyes have arranged for the radio programs to be on at the same time as the Q programs in order to force you to make a choice to listen to one or the other. Stand tall bro and spread the word by speaking to all whom you meet in your daily movements. Peace
This is coming from someone who suppots the labour party. I am very ashamed by the actions of Mr.Skeritt and his legal team. My god, Lennox Linton has all but proved that the villas do belong to or at least the PM has significant ownership interest. Lennox is being victimised here. If the PM has nothing to hide then why all the dodging tactics. Mr. Skerrit is above the law man? Lennox doesn’t need the IPO to prove what he is saying. I have made my judgement based on the facts and events. All the evidence speaks for itself. Havent you been listening to q95?
Lennox proved and we are suppose to believe that…what if Blessings prove or Coipel prove, you will believe them as well….you are no Labourite
Everything, including the IPO is just a damn joke in Dominica, that is why we will remain as currupt as we are….waste of time..!!
Take heed, and understand that on this issues the wrong politician not because he is the top man is targeted. Further in depth investigations may be a necessity
The IPO owes us an explanation. Between you and me-we have a right to be terribly disappointed. We patiently await further details from the Man- of-the-Year on Sunday.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
Oh! So this is the explanation that is missing from the DNO story.
Justice Brian Cottle has granted Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s legal team leave for judicial review of the Integrity Commission’s decision to convene an inquiry into his alleged breach of the Integrity in Public Office (IPO) Act. The hearing of the judicial review granted is scheduled to commence on April 12th, 2013 on the day that the Court of Appeal ends its deliberations in Dominica.
It seems that something must be done about the tenure of this Judge in Dominica.
Respectfully
Roseau valley
Maybe the people should fore him to leave.
It is very clear and obvious that there is something to hide and the hands of certain members of the IPO asre tied so they can’t do nothing but follow the instructions of the Prime Minister… But you all will live with all you guilty conscience… It is a blatant SHAME ON DOMINICA for us to know there is wrong doing and to accept it because i hope to get piece of the pie. I am reallu appalled by this and I know one day the truth will reveal… Dominica is engulfed in a weave of corruption and we all know it and it is a shame that we will nothing to help put a stop to it. It is an embarassment to all of us who in 2000 campaigned against the UWP for corruption and the very people we promised to jail are now Ministers of government. It is a shame that so many people in the public and private sectors, civil society and religious sects accept these things and say nothing… I feel very bad for the future of this country under the leadership of the Dominica Labour Party… I have lost all respect for the LabouRats leadership… SHAME, SHAME, SHAME…
hmmm
Dominicans open you all eyes and ears the courts usually gives their verdict on a Friday.Why, is it because they want the people to forget?
TYPICAL !!!!!!!!!
Can anyone have faith in the any of the institutions that exist in DA today. How embarrassing. This ineptitude, disrespect, lack of transparency and corrupt-like behaviour only serves to present DOMINICA as a JOKE.
WHAT IS THE REASON FOR THIS ACTION…………..NOTHING SAID.
I just hope the young generation are smarter than us and will revolt against this “A” Level standard of operation.
Will the IPO chairman be hled responsible if there is civil disturbance and in response consequenlty rough and sbversive police action?
We are heading somewhere–that place is I don’t know….
It seems like the IPO is supporting corruption otherwise they would have proceeded in a timely manner. This is something of importance and should be handled with some sense of URGENCY.
When people are calling for OUTSIDE BODIES to handle matters – THEY ARE RIGHT.
We CANNOT handle our own issues when comes to dealing with fair and balanced approach especially when the government is involved.
It has nothing to do with leaking information etc – IT WAS DELIBERATELY LEAKED. The leak was intentional.
This is INSANE.
VINDICATION COMES FROM GOD. You have to have faith and live.
I can only say WOW!!
This is what Dominica has become and continue to be until the people wake up.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Lolololololololololololololololol
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Lololololololololololololololololol
Laugh alone you have to laugh!!!!
I have two questions: 1. Why is the young PM always involved in some court matter every month like that? 2.Is it fair to conclude that if all were treated alike, there is a great possibility that he probably would be in court every week, if not every day? What an esample for young people!
Unless there is a very good reason..serious illness, etc…that is explained to the people… for postponement the whole thing seems very strange and inexplicable .What does the IPO chirman MR Johnson say about this sudden development ?? Has he been interviewed by the press for his comment??
I am no commenting on Mr. Shilligford’s post. I chose to comment here in the hope that Mr. shillingford will return to see whatever fitabcks there may be to his commen, He will see mines and then hopefully assist me in clearing my mind as to what is going on. Here is my question. Does the matter at hand concerns allegations that the PM has ownership interest in the Savanne Paille Villas? If that is the case then, hasn’t the IPO already ruled that there is no evidence to prove that the PM Skerrit has an ownership interest in theself same Villas as complained by mr.Lennox Linton? Please help me understand. If that is the same villas story that the IPO dismissed, then how comes they, the IPO can open investigations years later to determine whether the PM has used his position as Chairman of Cabinet to secure certain concessions for a business interest that he has owner ship interest in? Is that business the same Savanne Paille Villas in which a ruling already exists?
TO Observer. All schools are opened. Go to school. Your Sot! MACKAK! Soo Tee Wer!
Isn’t that the same PM who said that he welcome the inquiry and now he s fighting to kaybosh the same inquiry.
You are correct! I have always found this rather curious, saying there is no proof of ownership but investigating whether or not he participated in the decision to award concessions. I can only hope that what this means is that now that mr Emanuel has provided them with evidence from the horses mouth, so to speak, that they have decided to revisit the earlier charge. So now, rather than there being only one matter to investigate, there are now two and that as a person of significant influence in the affairs of Roosevelt skerritt, Isidore will himself also be investigate by the IPO and also the police and IRD.
Bob Marley sang: you running and you running away… can’t run away from yourself. You must have done something .. something wrong , you don’t want anybody to know about.. but you can’t run away from yourself.
When citizens feel that there is no avenue to voice their concerns or the competent authorities are sherking their responsibilities, then anarchy rises its ugly head. Is that what the Commission is waiting for? And when are we going to have the decision as regards the validity of Hons. Skerritt and St. Jean? As I have said on numerous occasions, we need to scrap this IPO as there are very few citizens of integrity in this beautiful and certainly, NONEEEE in this present government.
The moneies given them could certainly repair the Valley and Overgutter roads in Marigot.
This is the same guy who could not afford a suit to go to parliament in 2003 , now he is buying hotels and houses all over the place.
There are Gov’t workers who have been and are being investigated for having less.
Dominicans, we are the ones to blame,because our expectations of the crooked leaders are too low.
in 2003 couldn’t afford a suit….this is why people will not take on uwp seriously.
Did anybody here mention UWP?
IPO, why you have UWP on your brain? Were your advances perhaps rejected by them, like a woman scorned? There are many people, myself included who wanted Skerrit to win in 2005, who will not vote UWP but neither will now support Roosevelt Skerrit’s labour party.
Well,well, we are praying For our p.m, nice pic Pm…..lol
He need prayers!
I agree. This PM in so many roro, needs lots of prayers.
Does this guy have some kind of Spritual power that everything and everybody that touches him go to sleep.After Lennox’s declaration, I expected fireworks from the IPO Commission.
Not IPO, is IPM!
iLike
well if u escape the earthly judge u will not and cannot escape the heavenly one for sure..so better u allow the earthly judge to catch you…
Predictably, The IPO commission itself was tested and it was found to be not up to the task.
Indeed I would have been pleasantly surprised if that nascent institution had proved me wrong in my skepticism. But members of the IPO have missed a historic opportunity to demonstrate that they understood the call of duty to the nation, its constitution, and the collective hopes of all law abiding people.
There will be a lot of hand wringing in the days ahead but the simple fact is the Dominican people have been let down and we will all have to live with the consequences of the shortcoming of the IPO.
What next? Should the people take matters in their own hand?
Dont blame the IPO blame your man Linton. He gave three or four different versions of how he got his information which one of those should the IPO believe. This man hates the PM with a passion he will get his comuppance
You are correct my friend…he will be dealt his comeuppance.
When was that & what different versions you talking about? I do however believe that Lennox should not have disclosed the information he got from u-follow yet but rather waited for the commission to act after receiving the info from u- follow.
The IPO Commission owes the people of Dominica an explanation. It would be rude of them if they do not provide an explanation to the public for their baffling decision.
The Dominican people are paying for all comess with there lives. Poor health care and poverty.
Tell those brain box on that radio station stop trying the case on the radio.
You see the trick there is to get the people angry so they will vote the UWP in, it’s smart way of getting elected.
My take on all that is going on there,is an attempt to bring the PM down at any cost and between you and me set up just for thst perpose and they will not stop at nothing less,that’s a hate show and having people spending their good time listening to hate untill they even hate the country of their birth,i pray that God will bring all haters to justice very soon,God is looking.
i wonder if you voice of jungle listen to youself no one bring down pm he pm bring hisself down all the lie and stealing and many more your pm is doing th this country and our tax money have to pay for it it sicken. so dont put it on any one ok.
It appears that the IPO are being made inefective, alledgedly good men of character and concience, but if good men do nothing nothing good is ever done, this decision has weakened the credcibility of the comission. skerrit 1 Dominica 0,
Now the IPO will have to take the scorn and derision one of which is absolute deriliction to duty and cowardice, what will they ever achieve with this stigma hanging over them, absolute disgrace
This is getting beyond a joke now the least the IPO could have done is to give another date if it is postponed but no date is given this is so disrespectful to the people but no surprise there as someone is working very hard to stop this process. Dominicans we cannot let this one be swept under the carpet like so many others.
I wonder why Julien Johnson is still there in IPO !!.
IPO….International Pupet Commision
Inland pupet commision
Postponed to a later date or cancelled for life.
Who laugh last, laugh the best.
Pm is bursting his big laugh now.
I think every Dominican might have to get some mahaut pimma whip to beat up the hand that made that X for Skerro.
How many culverts n rat holes do we have in Dominica? IT too shall be televised live, when the time come TRUST ME!!!!!!!!!!
Well Well Dominica, can you believe Learnered Americans hear about Dominica and say which park of the Joker is this Island, Dominica needs some senae to was it out
When loyalty is bought, judicial system is controlled by corrupt politicians and lawyers, surely, the key pillar of democracy is no longer viable to sustain true democracy.
Dominicans have a choice, a choice to continue on the current course. A course on which the locals are seeing the Chinese and foreigners with our D/can passports taking over, while those in
charge are getting wealthier and wealthier overnight. A course that has given politicians and lawyers license to disrespect, lie and victimize anyone who doesn’t share their ideals.
If that’s what our people want in this day of age 2013,then that’s their choice to vote the most corrupt government the country has ever known back in office.
Many may think that our people are not mature politically enough to get involve and elect a government that puts country first and self second. But that’s not how I see it. I get the feeling that greed, selfishness and a cult like mentality have changed the dynamics of politics in D/ca to its lowest level. No wonder they call it the next level. It’s all about bribes, kick-backs, blatant corruption etc, etc.
Maybe in due time when their backs are against the wall, the picture may change if its not too late.
Take what all you get for voting for a novice!!!!. A man how does not comprehend math and english. More is yet to come. i want him to build a statue of himself and order every woman, man and child to worship at its feet. we know the IPO has failed us.The question now is are we now going to fail ourselves and let this man reign supreme? are we?
Stuuuuuueppssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
We are only reaping the fruits of our labor, No law, No constitution. Men and women with no integrity sit on the IPO doing total madness!!!. It is so sad look at our youth, what direction are they going? Who are the beneficiaries is it the Nation or the Politician?
Dominica NewsOnline in Review:
“Astaphan Vows to Challenge IPO on PM Matter
January 28 2013
“Senior Counsel Tony Astaphan has vowed to challenge a decision by the Integrity in Public Office Commission (IPO) to proceed with its hearing on a matter concerning Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit… Let not your heart be troubled, he said.”
Showdown Looms in PM IPO Matter
DNO, December 18, 2012
”That pappyshow has to stop” Astaphan insisted. “This has become a joke and we are not prepared to make Roosevelt Skerrit part of any joke….”
The patois man with the satirical commercials had one about a business place in Roseau some years ago about customer service the effect “ou passa couyay sar polite, sar say perlite.” In the same vein, ou passa couyay Attorney sar la powerful. Sar say Perwerfoool!”
Its Sad Sad Sad Sad Sad Sad Sad Sad Sad Sad Sad Sad Sad Saddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd!!!!, How evil has taken over this country.
Everything, including the IPO is just a damn joke in Dominica, that is why we will remain as currupt as we are….waste of time..!!
LOL!
! What a damn joke, but nonetheless not surprising at all. Skerrit have a right to be greening his teeth as the picture clearly shows. Its time for all patriotic, god fearing Dominicans to take the streets and ask the DLP to resign and those on the IPO found guilty of aiding and abetting in the cover-up be arrested tried and jailed also. The god that I serve is NOT a Dominican policeman so those involved in this cover-up better be warned.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
What else is new? anyway the longest rope has an end….
Leh ban jumbies!!!!! The hands of the devil is at work in this country. A brother will not bring a brother down.
In 2012 the IPO spent E.C.$.585,672 (excluding the costs of utilities, accommodation & communications) in respect of 164 persons in public office i.e. minimum E.C.$.3,571 for every individual, who had to submit income & asset details to the commission!It is a valid question to ask if we are getting value for money especially now that it appears that alleged offenders can not be held to account. Are people in public office really behaving better now than before we had the IPO?
What the hell is that for me in this country there now nor? Dominica is Skerritt garden patat man? DNO all you like no refuse to put up people post let me see what all you going to do with my post. The man really laughing at us for true u know.
Anonymous, take care you burst a blood vessel oui for them to say is Skerrit that kill you!!!!!!!!!!
DNO, where is my comment? I was the first one to offer a comment on the story and you have not published it. I simply stated:
”Why? Why? Oh, Why? Are we dealing with evil forces?”
What’s wrong with that?
just like me i post one and all of a sudden it dissappear
Nothing is wrong with that question so allow us to read the comments as long as it didnt violate your rules.
DNo the pic shows your ……
The picture says it all, the man is laughing at Dominicans
Mr PM as the saying goes, who laugh last, will last the best, you think that you are in control, but there’s one person in control, the Mighty Judge, Call Jesus
Dominicans will not get justice from the magistrates and worldly judges, but for sure we will get it from the Almighty, only time will tell mr pm, there will be no one to fight for you but yourself
No suprise, no confidence. It is what it is…..
You can run but you cannot hide. The rope is becoming shorter day by day.
Well it seems that People in Government are above the law to much going on in DA..
We have become the laughing stock in the caribbean. This is a dam joke now. All our money going down the drain paying IPO, so what the hell they asking me to file for. I will not be going through this again. Not a dam. I want to see what they will do to me when I refuse to file.
No Change will happen soon in Dominica folks can Continue their sleeping Process..
Those Opposition Forces i feel your Pain but Dominica is not like Grenada and St.Lucia ..
Dominicans are not known to be a smart bunch of Citizens..they way to dam dazed and dull…
Thinking of it Dominicans are extremely silly..
Who is Pressing them down look around…
Dominican bros and sis keeping them In that Slavery mindset…
The IPO is a waste element to be thrown in the River side period, they are helping bringing on That Curse on Dominica.
NY NY Why do you guys stay in another man’s land and criticize the people of your country? Don not forget you were born in this country and are you parents dumb too? If you guys are I am not. 90% of us here in Dominica are more progressive than you guys in America and you know that. Were are dumb but smart enough to develop ourselves. STOP CRITICIZING THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY YOU WERE BORN AND COME BACK HOME TO LIVE FREE AND DEVELOP YOUR COUNTRY.
No respect for the citizens of Dominica. We getting what we allow.
IPO please do your job or resign from office. That game for justice is not the way to go. IPO DO WHAT U KNOW IS RIGHT!DO NOT LEAD THIS COUNTRY INTO SLAVERY, PLEASE PERFORM YOUR DUTIES!!
He is trembling like a leaf, but one day he must answer questions.
Ba yo babwalen.
Wow am i surprised. No explanation to the people as to why the people’s employees cannot do the people’s job. God I hope they have a valid reason for postponing this inquiry indefinitely.
This whole situation is just ludicrous! Is the IPO being threatened? Has an authority at the next level tied the hands of the IPO? Should we continue to have confidence in the IPO? All that is in the dark will come to light.
DNO i dont blame u guys u have to get people to get mad on here u put a pic of the PM laughing i wld do the same.Now u guys are being selective why no news on the way Edo and them handle the depex election theres money missing plus its been ten years where no investor has gotten any money on there investment guess thats no news.
Eco had to handle it that way. Can Simeon and crazy manage anything. The only thing they are good at is grovelling!!
people like your that cause possie and indeed DA to be so backward. can you not see how undeveloped and filthy possie is? Too many fools like youself is the reason why. This is not an attack on Possie but on fools like yourself that cause us to be so undeveloped.
@ what next that touch u man guess u have not been through portsmouth for years now.See i never said any thing on that ipo matter think for a second a man come in with evidence that he has against some one no one took the time to see if that was a pach up work with all u all jumping up and dwn what if they finally checked and found some thing wrong u see what u did let me give my two cents on this matter.lol
If the PM have nothing to worry about he should just let them go ahead with the hearing and get it over with. Who is paying for all of these hearings? For such a small country we prolong things way too much. If we put half of the time we put towards nonesense and gossip Dominica would be a much better place today.
It was just too good to be true. One day justice in Dominica will surely surprise me.
PM have a right to be laughing at the IPO officers no surprise either
That is just Comess. That is why I am leaving, don’t know when I’ll be back again. I am tired of paying peoples salary for no results at all.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
ofcours madam speaker the people are too free
In the face of all this, the IPO ruled that it will be going ahead with hearings since it has the jurisdiction, as entitled by law, to proceed.
However the notice issued by the IPO shows that it has overruled its own decision to have the hearings started
The IPO is not the law and has no jurisdiction…this entire IPO thing should go.
Especially Julian Johnson
I knew it! Started and postponed indefinitely. Mr Dimples, if you have nothing to hide, lets see.
What the heck is really going on?
Well sah what a web…
I watchin’ still!!!
My say on this is; the longer it goes on, the more convinced i become on who owns the villas. Who does not know anyway!
I also believe that once you are corrupt to the core, you should be jailed,after you are tried and found guilty.!
So what is the reason the IPO gave to suspend the hearing that was scheduled for Monday?
No explanation.
Enough already.Just wait for the Election.Vacationing in Grenada,cricket lovely cricket. Also a holiday by the newly elected Government.They could not postphoned this one.
(music) – Skerrit >>>>>>>real boss lol
The IPO knows who will be in hot water, so it does not want to be the one (the institution) determining whether or not that person appears before a judge or judges and be seriously questioned under oath, about who owns what. But 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of Dominicans know the truth about who owns what, and whether is possible. I HATE CORRUPT LEADERS..THEY SHOULD BE DRAGGED NAKED BEFORE THE COURT! A country cannot prosper when it is lead by corrupt people.
This just goes to show that the IPO has nothing on the Prime Minister. Why does that small minority continue to dig a pit for this young man? Just be mindful of what happens to who dig pit for others
On the contrary! It shows that they have a lot on skerritt but was hoping to engage the public in a sham of an investigation after which they would have advised skerritt to take Lennox to court. Now that they have information pointing them in the direction of the evidence against the young pretender, they are not interested. Another theory could be that, since there is another matter before the court, the new information means that once that case is dispensed with, it will become easier for them to carry out their work without challenges by tony and others.
@ daynightvision: Go get good vision with your crap.Your SOO TE WER! Your accomplish accomplices of corruption.
Dominica is a frigging joke!
Boy look MAC KAK WE in this failed country we!…This country is one of the most backward in the Caribbean in terms of leadership and functional institutions. The so called IPO is now one of the biggest jokes on island.We need institutions with leaders who lead fearlessly. We lack that.But those who have raped, plundered and pillaged the state will ALWAYS be brought to justice one day. Time is the determining factor.I hate those who lie, cheat, steal and to top it all, those who insult the people that they serve.
This is not surprising they made the rule they break it but JUSTICE will come one day. Keep ir up IPO & PM.