Faulty air conditioning unit forces shift in Piarco inquiry

A malfunctioning air conditioning unit in the Eighth Court caused the matter to be moved to the First Court as lawyers complained that the heat was unbearable.

Christopher Seemungal, Manager of Systems at Scotiabank Limited, Park and Richmond Streets, Port-of-Spain, was led in evidence by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Carla Brown- Antoine before Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls. During Antoine’s examination, lead defence attorney Frank Solomon SC objected to the method of questioning being used by Antoine, saying it was too long and the answers being given by the witness made no sense. Mc Nicolls then told Antoine to shorten her method of questioning. For a second time, Solomon objected to Antoine’s examination saying that the method of questioning being used was multiple.

Antoine responded to Solomon, "This is my method of questioning, if you want to you can stand here and ask the questions."

Eight persons and three companies are charged with a total of 21 offences relating to the new terminal development project at Piarco Airport. They include former government ministers Brian Kuei Tung and Russel Huggins; CEO of Northern Construction Ltd (NCL) Ish Galbaransingh; CEO of Maritime General Insurance Company John Henry Smith; Maritime Group of Companies chairman Steve Ferguson; company secretary Barbara Gomes; businesswoman Renee Pierre, and Fidelity Insurance and Leasing Company Ltd. Hearing resumes today.