Prosecutor denies suppressing evidence

LEAD prosecutor Gilbert Peterson SC yesterday denied that he suppressed evidence from the defence in the Piarco Airport Corruption Inquiry. Responding to charges by the defence, Peterson said he did not suppress a letter written by former Airports Authority chairman Ameer Edoo to Ishwar Galbaransingh, chairman of Northern Construction Limited (NCL), explaining the payment of more than $28 million. The issue arose when Joshey Mahabir, former manager of finance and administration of the Airports Authority, was giving evidence. Gillian Lucky, who is representing Galbaransingh, sought to put the letter into evidence.

It was then that Allan Alexander SC pointed out to Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls that the letter was not disclosed to the defence. Frank Solomon SC also got into the picture — “Can Mr Peterson say why this document was not disclosed?” Peterson said he was not aware of the document. He said the defence was raising irrelevant matters so they can be reported in the media. Vernon De Lima, who represents Maritime General Insurance Company, said he never saw the letter which was raised by Lucky, but Lucky told the court that the letter was raised by instructing attorney Rajiv Persad in a letter dated April 15, 2003 to the Director of  Public Prosecutions (DPP). An upset Peterson reiterated that he did not suppress the evidence. “They keep saying that I was squeezing back. They said suppression, but I prefer to say squeezing back. They want to dress it up.”  Solomon still wanted to know why the prosecution did not lead the evidence or disclose the letter to the defence.

“Do they plan to lead evidence which is prejudicial to the accused,” Solomon asked. De Lima responded, “this letter is probably the most important thing that is coming here.” Peterson promised to conduct a search for the original copy of the letter. Mahabir, who is now the chief executive officer of Star Lumber and Wood Products Limited, concluded his testimony yesterday. He had been an employee of the Airports Authority from July 1989 to June 2002. Attorney Robert Boodoosingh, who was the acting corporate secretary of the Airports Authority, was further cross-examined by Lucky yesterday. Peterson also informed the court that Senior Supt Maurice Piggott, who fell ill earlier this week, had gone to the Mount Hope Medical Sciences Complex yesterday for more medical attention. Hearing was then adjourned to September 22.

Eight persons and three companies are charged with a total of 21 offences relating to the new terminal development project at Piarco Airport. They are Brian Kuei Tung and Russell Huggins, former government ministers, Ishwar Galbaransingh, CEO of Northern Construction Limited (NCL), Amrith Maharaj, financial comptroller of NCL, John Henry Smith, CEO of Maritime General Insurance Company, Steve Ferguson, chairman of Maritime Group of Companies, Barbara Gomes, company secretary, businesswoman Renee Pierre, Maritime General Insurance Company, NCL, and Fidelity Insurance and Leasing Company Limited.