Achong free to run for Point

Achong’s leader Prime Minister Patrick Manning had taken a position that anyone before the court could not be considered for public office by the PNM.

But with yesterday’s court victory, the way is now clear for Achong, who received the support of 19 out of 20 party groups and 400 votes out of the 425 votes cast for nominees by the constituency membership.

Achong, who was on an obscene language charge, triumphed before a packed courtroom in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court as Magistrate Seemungal Ramsaran upheld a no-case submission put forward by lead defence attorney Osborne Charles SC.

Charles said the court could not rely on the evidence of Pundit Ganga “Chanan Baba” Ramlakhan. Achong, a former Labour Minister was charged with the use of obscene language against the pundit on November 9, 2006 at an anti-smelter meeting at the Chatham Youth Facility.

Charles accused the pundit of lying when he took the witness stand and said on duty officer Sgt Deonarine Basdeo was at the anti-smelter forum, dressed in plainclothes. Charles claimed the pundit also lied when he said he made a report to Sgt Basdeo during the forum and told him to arrest Achong for cursing his mother. The senior counsel further poked holes in the pundit’s statement that when Sgt Basdeo visited his home, he asked the pundit if he wanted to prosecute Achong for cursing his mother. Sgt Basdeo under cross-examination denied the allegations made by Ramlakhan. Charles said Ramlakhan’s evidence was contradicted by Sgt Basdeo and that “Basdeo has been truthful.”

“The only witness to give evidence of substance has contradicted the witness of Ramlakhan in material issues,” Charles told the court.

“Given the contradictory statement,” Charles said, “the court cannot rely on him or his evidence.”

Sgt Basdeo said following investigations he had recommended to his superiors that no further police action be taken, however five months later he was instructed by his senior superintendent to charge Achong with the offence.

Magistrate Ramsaran said it is “preferred that 100 guilty men be set free than one innocent man be charged”, he then told Achong he was free to go.

Jubilation followed the ruling which came about 2.45 pm, and outside the court scores of PNM supporters who waited patiently for the announcement began thanking God loudly.

Reigning Calypso Monarch Weston “Cro Cro” Rawlins began to shout, “We free! We free!” and was too ecstatic to entertain requests for a song.

There were screams of “We know how to pray”, “He is the only man we want for MP”, “Tell Manning take that”, as Achong was lifted, hugged and kissed by his supporters.

A relieved looking Achong in turn thanked his legal team led by Charles and included Lennox Marcelle and Richard Mason and his many supporters who rallied with him.

He said: “It has been rough.”