Panday’s case adjourned to Oct 15

FORMER Prime Minister Basdeo Panday was back in court yesterday to answer charges relating to his London bank account, but the matter was adjourned to October 15. Assistant Commissioner of Police Wellington Virgil filed three charges on September 18, 2002, against Panday under the Integrity in Public Life Act 1987. The Opposition Leader is accused of failing to declare his account at the NatWest Bank, Westminster, London, for the years 1997, 1998, and 1999. Before the hearing of these charges could begin, however, Panday’s lawyers argued a constitutional point which Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls referred to the High Court for determination in April 2003.

Panday, political leader of the United National Congress (UNC), filed a constitutional motion  contending that his constitutional rights were or are likely to be infringed if the trial against him for allegedly failing to declare bank accounts held at the London Westminster Bank proceeds. However, Madame Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, presiding in the Port-of-Spain High Court, dismissed Panday’s motion and ordered him to pay costs. Panday appealed. Yesterday, Panday’s attorney Fyard Hosein informed the Chief Magistrate that he was awaiting the record of the appeal to be settled. Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Carla Brown-Antoine said she was hoping to set a date for the trial yesterday. But with British Queen’s Counsel Sir Timothy Cassel away, October 15 was recommended. Both sides agreed and the case was adjourned.