Law Association slams new CJ attacks

THE LAW Association of Trinidad and Tobago has called on Attorney General John Jeremie, Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson, and Executive Director of Telecommunications John Prince to take immediate action against persons whom the association believes are attempting to influence “the constitutionally provided judicial process against the Chief Justice.” Prime Minister Patrick Manning recently informed Parliament that he had advised President George Maxwell Richards to establish a tribunal to investigate allegations made against Chief Justice Sat Sharma.

In a statement yesterday, Law Association vice president Hendrickson Seunath said the association was very concerned about the contents of a media advertisement and the comments of certain talk-show hosts which appear to be encouraging Sharma to resign as CJ. Seunath said there seems to be an attempt “to influence and interfere with the constitutional process” initiated by the Prime Minister.

He added that it was the association’s view that such actions are likely to undermine public confidence in the administration of justice, and may amount to a contempt of court. Seunath said the Law Association is calling on the persons responsible “to cease doing so immediately in the interest of justice,” and on the revelant authorities “to take appropriate action to avoid the attempt at influencing and/or interfering with the constitutional process initiated by the Prime Minister.”