Court orders activists to declare assets

Former UNC councillor Carol Cuffie Dowlat and former THA assemblyman Lennox Smith yesterday appeared before Justice Carol Gobin at the Port-of-Spain Fourth Civil Court for failing to declare their assets in 2003.

It was the first time the Integrity Commission has used the high court to force anyone in public life to file a declaration under Section 11 (7) of the Integrity in Public Life Act.

Former Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday was charged with failing to declare a London bank account to the Integrity Commission.

He was found guilty and was fined.

He has since appealed that fine.

Former Energy Minister Finbar Ganga was also charged in 2003 with failing to declare his assets.

That matter is still being heard by the court.

Attorney Stuart Young represented the Integrity Commission, while attorney Lennox Sankersingh appeared for Cuffie-Dowlat.

Smith was unrepresented.