COP matter thrown out

This after a San Fernando High Court judge dismissed the applications filed against two prominent party members on yesterday.

Justice Ricky Rahim, presiding in the San Fernando High Court, ruled that the applications filed against former COP political leader Dr Anirudh Mahabir and General Secretary Clyde Weatherhead by a party member served no purpose since the members had resigned their positions from the party.

The applications to the court were meant to prevent Dyer-Griffith from being a candidate in the internal elections as well as prohibiting the voting powers of 34 COP members. The case was first heard on Tuesday before Justice Devindra Rampersad who had recused himself from the matter.

Yesterday, however, Justice Rahim ruled that the defendants, Mahabir and Weatherhead now had no part to play in the matter and he relieved them. COP member Kirt Francis in his application sought to prevent Dyer-Griffith from voting and also being a candidate for the elections. Another application for an injunction sought to prevent 34 persons from voting in the election was also filed. Following the application, the party’s political leader, Mahabir and Weatherhead tendered their resignations.

Francis was represented by attorneys Lester Chariah and Kingsley Walesby. Attorneys Darrell Allahar and Rajkavir Singh represented Mahabir and Weatherhead.

The election is carded for Sunday amid turmoil over the return of Dyer-Griffith who had resigned from the COP. She is among three women vying to lead the party which is seeking to revamp its membership as a third political force. The other contenders are former deputy political leader Carolyn Seepersad- Bachan and Sharon Gopaul- McNicols.

In his lawsuit, Francis cited article 16.3 of the COP’s constitution which states that except for the political leader and deputy political leader, all other national executive members of the party shall be elected for two years.

Attorney Allahar also requested that costs be paid to his clients as Chariah failed to file a notice of discontinuance which would have avoided him and his clients from returning to court as their resignations were tendered since Tuesday. The judge said he would address costs at a subsequent hearing.

On Friday attorneys are expected to reappear in court to determine whether there can be substitutes for Mahabir and Weatherhead. If the court determines there can be no substitutes then Dyer-Griffith will be free to contest and vote in the elections.

Vowing to attend court on Friday, Dyer-Griffith told Newsday, “My attorney will argue on my behalf as an interested party.” She is being represented by attorney Christian Chandler.