Ex-minister faces new charge

Magistrate Gillian David, sitting in the city’s First Magistrates’ Court, informed the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ortoire/Mayaro it was alleged on July 6, 2004, in Port-of-Spain, that he (Khan) knowing the Integrity Commission was investigating claims of corruption against him, had perverted the course of justice by arranging with PNM Councillor Dansam Dhansook to sign a false statutory declaration.

David adjourned the matters listed for hearing yesterday after those in the courtroom yesterday waited in vain for almost an hour for Magistrate Ejenny Espinet to arrive. When Khan’s matter was called, his attorney Gillian Lucky reminded the magistrate to read the charge to her client because of his absence at the last hearing.

Khan, of Fairview Drive, Moka, Maraval, faces six charges of corruption in public office as a result of allegations made by Dhansook of the MP’s corrupt acceptance of more than $250,000 from him (Dhansook) on various occasions in 2003. The charges were laid by Supt Glenroy Woodley.

Khan will re-appear in court on October 6.

Attorney George Busby appeared for the State.