Panday dares Govt: Bring the charges

OPPOSITION LEADER Basdeo Panday challenged the Government to issue the 15 summonses which it reportedly has for high-ranking UNC officials — including three former ministers and businessmen who were closely connected to the billion-dollar Piarco Airport Project.

On Thursday, senior police officers said the 15 were summoned and are to appear before the Anti-Corruption Squad office with their attorneys.  The summonses were reportedly signed by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Carla Brown-Antoine and it is understood that these individuals would be charged with offences relating to a “$1.2 billion conspiracy” to siphon  funds from the taxpayer-funded airport development. Panday described the reports as another PNM “red herring” and said he was waiting to see what would happen.

“It is clear that the Manning regime is attempting to use the court as an instrument of political oppression,” he declared. Panday claimed that instead of issuing the summonses or warrants in their possession, “they go to the media and create a political atmosphere.” The UNC leader added that this was a common tactic employed by the PNM whenever they found themselves in trouble. Opposition Senator Sadiq Baksh said he had not received any summons yesterday. “I have no offshore money, no dummy companies. I have real companies but I work with a lot of dummies in the PNM,” he said.