‘A national security risk’

A security intelligence report suggested that Feroza Ramjohn may have been involved in a major conspiracy to steal a diplomatic pouch with 200 Trinidad and Tobago passports, which has gone missing.

But Ramjohn, who has 33 years service with the Government, contends that she was never aware that she was a security risk with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ramjohn was supposed to replace Bissoon Boodhai as the accountant with the TT High Commission in London. That was after Boodhai was suspended and charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine in a diplomatic pouch. That case is pending in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court.

By a letter dated June 7, 2004, from Permanent Secretary Yvonne Gittens-Joseph, Ramjohn’s proposed posting to London was revoked by Prime Minister Patrick Manning in light of the contents of the security report. Ramjohn then filed for judicial review of the decision of the Prime Minister to veto her appointment to London.

The matter was called before Madame Justice Amrika Tiwary-Reddy in the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday, where the judge was expected to deliver her decision on whether the security report should be handed over to Ramjohn’s attorneys and form part of the record in the case.

Tiwary-Reddy ruled that Ramjohn was entitled to the report, but there was a question mark as to whether the names in that report should be deleted. Russell Martineau SC, who represents the Prime Minister, said he had no problem with Ramjohn’s attorneys seeing the report. "They could see it, but I don’t want it in the public domain," Martineau told the court.

"I will make the report available with the names in it. It is a security report. I have no doubt that they will treat the report with confidentiality."

Dr Fenton Ramsahoye SC, who represents Ramjohn, wants to see the report. "It is in the interest of the administration of justice that the document forms part of the record. The question remains whether the names should be deleted."

Martineau replied, "it is a sad day for the country if security reports are disclosed, especially with what is happening today."

Tiwary-Reddy intervened, "There is one copy of the report. I am nervous about it. I had to guard it with my life."

Martineau said the Prime Minister, after seeing the report, changed his mind on sending Ramjohn abroad. "Is it justice if the report is put into the record?" he asked.

Martineau said he was also nervous about the report. "You know how things get into the press. My position is that no copies be made."

But Ramsahoye said he wanted a copy. "Not getting a copy is not in the interest of justice."

Tiwary-Reddy decided that Ramsahoye’s junior, Anand Ramlogan be allowed to peruse the 200-page document by the end of yesterday. But this did not please Ramlogan. "This case rises and falls on this document. This applicant is described as a national security risk."

The judge agreed that it was impractical to allow Ramjohn’s attorneys to see the report in such a short time.

With neither side relenting, the judge said she would make her decision on June 10.