Lawyers argue over Citibank documents

Defence attorney Vernon De Lima yesterday raised strong objections on the resumption of the Piarco Airport Inquiry, as the prosecution team presented several financial documents to the court which were said to be obtained from Citibank under an order from the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Spending yet another day in the witness stand was head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Maurice Piggott, who was led in evidence by prosecution attorney Gilbert Peterson SC, who said he “was only producing the documents to the court,” and not seeking to have the documents tendered into evidence. With the first document presented, the defence attorney objected, saying the document was not initialled and, as a result, asked the prosecution to produce the original document. “We served a notice to your client to produce the original document,” Peterson said.

In continuing his objection, De Lima explained, “That document was not manufactured by my client, but by the bank. I am only asking to be fair, that you bring the original to the court. I am not against the document, but I want the original. It is not even a bank statement, but it seems to be something specifically manufactured for a specific purpose. It is not a bank statement but a record of events that took place over a two-year period. Bring it in a proper way.” However, the objection was overruled by Chief Magistrate, Sherman Mc Nicolls, who is presiding in the matter. Senior Supt Piggott continued giving evidence with reference to other financial documents.

Piggott last gave evidence on Tuesday when defence attorney Allan Alexander SC argued about the admissibility of other documents. Eight persons and three companies are charged with a total of 21 offences relating to the new terminal development project at Piarco Airport. They are Brian Kuei Tung and Russel Huggins, former government ministers, Ish Galbaransingh, CEO of Northern Construction Ltd (NCL), John Henry Smith, CEO Maritime General Insurance Company, Steve Ferg-uson, chairman of the Maritime Group of Companies, company secretary Barbara Gomes, businesswoman Renee Pierre, and Fidelity Insurance and Leasing Company Ltd. Hearing resumes today.