Defence, witness clash over contract

Tempers flared yesterday at the sitting of the Piarco Airport Inquiry, as the head of the Anti Corruption Investigations Bureau and one of the defence attorneys clashed during cross-examination. ASP Maurice Piggott, head of the ACIB, was being questioned by attorney representing Maritime Financial, Vernon De Lima SC, who asked him about contracts pertinent to his investigations. During cross-examination of the witness, Piggott was handed a copy of a contract which the attorney questioned him in detail about. Asked if he was aware of the date the contract was signed, Piggott said he was not sure of exactly when the contract was signed.

De Lima then pointed out to the witness a date which appeared on the contract and asked the witness if that was the date on which the contract was signed. “I already answered your question. I told you I am not sure when the contract was signed. I am not going to commit myself to anything that I am not sure of,” said Piggott. Clearly not satisfied with the answer, De Lima again asked the witness the same question, insisting he must know the answer. “Mr Piggott, this is a very important contract. This contract is the reason why you charged these eight people who are before the court. This is a disgrace, Mr Piggott, a disgrace if what you are saying to me is true.

It is a disgrace that you cannot recall the date this contract was signed,” an agitated De Lima told the witness. With a quick and equally aggressive response, Piggott, in a stern tone, explained to the attorney that while he acknowledged that the document was signed and that signatures appeared on it, the document in no way assisted him in finding out when the document was actually signed. “That is your opinion. I am telling you the document does not assist me in any way,” Piggott said. De Lima was eventually stopped by presiding magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls, who told him he was asking the same questions over and over when the witness had already given him an answer. Hearing resumes today.