Cepep defamation appeal adjourned to April 24

In January, Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh held that the Cepep Company, as a government agency, was restricted from pursuing a defamation claim against a member of the public.

The Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal first sued the state agency for defamation after the Cepep company issued a full-page statement in the press on August 24, 2016, in which it alleged misappropriation of $39.6 million in funds on construction projects in his Oropouche East constituency.

At yesterday’s sitting of the appellate court, Justices of Appeal Allan Mendonca, Nolan Bereaux and Peter Rajkumar asked that written submissions be filed and adjourned hearing of the appeal to April 24.

Appearing for the Cepep Company are attorney Elton Prescott,SC, Phillip Lamont and Farai Hove Masaisai while Larry Lalla, Jagdeo Singh, Kiel Tacklalsingh and Vivek Lakhan-Joseph represent Moonilal.