Gopee’s new attorney asks why he is a subject

FORMER Airports Authority Chairman Tyrone Gopee yesterday failed to appear at the Commission of Inquiry into the Piarco International Airport Project and the appearance of his new attorney caused many of the assembled witnesses to question his non-appearance. Gopee’s new attorney, Carol Gobin, also asked the Commission why her client was a subject of the Inquiry. As the hearing continued at the Caribbean Court of Justice yesterday,  Gobin informed the Commission that she was replacing Nyree Alfonso as Gopee’s legal counsel. When Gopee appeared before the Commission last Wednesday for the first time, Alfonso said she had not received all of the transcripts and Gopee was trying to hire Fyard Hosein as his attorney.

Gobin revealed that attempts to hire Hosein failed and having only been assigned last Friday as the former AA chairman’s lawyer, she was in no position to cross-examine any of the witnesses present at yesterday’s sitting. The attorney added that she had several other cases pending which required her attention. Commission chairman, retired Chief Justice Clinton Bernard, noted that Alfonso was on record of having represented Gopee before the Commission since September 2002. Asked by Bernard if she would be ready to proceed in ten days time, Gobin responded affirmatively. Bernard then apologised to the assembled witnesses for any inconvenience caused to them by Gopee’s absence and Gobin’s inability to proceed and indicated that Gobin would begin her cross-examination on March 27. Among those present were former Works Minister Jearlean John, former Works Ministry representative Peter Cateau, NIPDEC general manager Margaret Thompson and NIPDEC consultant Kenneth Crichlow.

Gobin asked how her client “should participate in the proceedings”. Bernard replied: “ We will not be drawn into that. I made pronouncements about that before. He was told to come and take part.”  Continued arguments from Gobin, resulted in Bernard informing her “there is a place where you can take that if you question it, take it elsewhere”. Bernard indicated that John would be cross-examined by NIPDEC’s attorney Jonathon Walker and Peter Cateau’s attorney, Keith Scotland when the hearing resumes today at 9.30 am. John, Thompson, Cateau and Crichlow all told the Commission they would be present. As yesterday’s hearing was adjourned, several of the witnesses debated possible theories for Gopee’s no-show and his new attorney.