Panday a no-show in court

DEPUTY DPP Carla Brown-Antoine yesterday expressed her displeasure at the “lack of courtesy” displayed by Opposition leader Basdeo Panday’s defence attorneys, in not informing the prosecution that he (Panday) would not have been present at yesterday’s summary court trial hearing. “The non-appearance of the defendant is inexcusable,” Brown-Antoine ranted. “The defence did not have the courtesy to write the prosecutor or the court to inform them of his absence,” she continued.

Defence attorney Fyard Hosein SC had earlier informed Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls that Panday was out of the jurisdiction. The former Prime Minister, he said, had gone abroad to deal with matters relating to the United National Congress, and that he (Hosein) would be appearing on behalf of his client. In addition, he said, the defence had on Friday appealed a ruling which was handed down by Madame Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee at the Port-of-Spain Fifth Civil Court on February 20, and were awaiting a ruling on the appeal. Fyard then sought an adjournment date three months from yesterday.

Rajnauth-Lee had ruled against Panday’s constitutional motion to stay his trial on charges of failing to declare his London bank account to the Integrity Commission. The Opposition Leader had been charged with failing to declare money held in an account at the National Westminster Bank, London in his name and that of his wife Oma during the period 1997, 1998 and 1999. The charges were laid by head of the Fraud Squad Senior Supt Wellington Virgil. The former Prime Minister will re-appear in court on June 28.