CHANDRA Wong, wife of released kidnap victim Woodlam Wong, said yesterday her husband is worth every penny of the $50,000 she paid the people who snatched and held him for a few hours. This despite the fact that the 52-year-old Mayaro-born woman is now saying she is “personally penniless” as a result. The kidnappers had initially asked for $5 million. “I will now have to work for several years before I could make it back,” Chandra said as she confirmed paying the $50,000. She said she understands the advice given by members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) not to pay ransom money to kidnappers. However, Chandra says she was fearful and decided to pay the money. “It’s my husband. I did what I had to do to get him back. What could I have done?” she queried. Describing the  kidnappers as “hustlers”, senior AKS officers said they asked Wong’s family not to pay the money, and to hold on. “It’s not that we don’t care about the victim but people need to stop paying kidnappers,” a senior AKS source said.

The AKS source also said that if a group of people can collect $50,000 in less than one day, it shows that kidnapping is a thriving business. Wong, 47, of Santa Margarita, St Augustine, was snatched from his blue Mercedes Benz early Tuesday morning by men who had cornered his vehicle with three cars at the corner of Bellsmythe Street and the Priority Bus Route, Curepe. Before they snatched him, Wong, who was asleep at the time of Newsday’s visit, had been at a Valsayn club and AKS officers believe it was from there he was followed.  Wong, father of one, had left his Chaguanas business place, Chinese Wok, around 9.30 pm Monday. No one knew what had happened to Wong until just before 5 pm Tuesday when the kidnappers telephoned his home and asked his wife for $5 million for his safe return. Chandra said the kidnappers sounded quite polite and humble and seemed to be very young.  She said she dealt with the same person all the time and that the individual went as far to tell her, “You are a wonderful person.” She said she told the kidnappers that she could not raise the money and the ransom was then reduced to $3 million and the snatchers later decided to accept $50,000. “I told them I heard of a million, know how to spell it, but never saw a million dollars,” Chandra told Newsday. She said she dropped off the money at the side of a road at Grand Bazaar after 8 pm, after which her husband was released at Nestle’s shortly before 9 pm. “I am just happy to have him home.  It’s just good to have him here,” Chandra said.  She said her husband was blindfolded and gagged during the ordeal but that he was not threatened. After his release, Wong was medically examined then taken home.  He was interviewed yesterday by members of the AKS, who are continuing investigations.

AN autopsy carried out on Tuesday on the body of a La Brea welder, who police suspected had died from food poisoning, revealed the man died of complications caused by the mosquito-borne disease, dengue. Relatives of 23-year-old Collin Pierre told police that last Friday he left work at Lake Asphalt to go to a Point Fortin restaurant for lunch. Police reports stated that soon after eating the meal at the restaurant, Pierre returned to work. Minutes later he started vomiting and was taken to the nearby Lake Asphalt Medical Centre for treatment. Pierre was examined by a doctor, treated and sent home to rest.

However, he awoke from sleep around 7 am the following day and started vomiting again. Moments later, a trembling Pierre fainted. Concerned relatives contacted an EHS ambulance, but decided to take him in their car to the Point Fortin Hospital. Pierre died shortly after arriving at the hospital. A report was made to the La Brea police and investigators took food samples from the restaurant for testing, since it was believed that Pierre died of food poisoning. However, the autopsy which was done at the Forensic Science Centre by pathologist Dr Hughvon De Vignes, confirmed dengue as the cause of death. As such, police have now ruled that Pierre died of natural causes and their investigations have ended.

ARMED bandits staged a night-time robbery at a San Fernando bar on Tuesday and made off with over $11,000 in cash and jewelry. According to police reports, around 8.30 pm Krishna Kanhai, 55, proprietor of Retrench Recreation Club, San Fernando, was attending to a customer when three masked, armed bandits stormed the bar and announced a hold-up. There were several patrons liming in the bar at the time. Kanhai and his customers were relieved of over $11,000 in cash and jewelry by the bandits who fled on foot. A report was made to the Ste Madeleine police and Cpl Gonzales of the Criminal Investigation Department is continuing investigations. No arrests had been made up to late yesterday. In an unrelated incident, police yesterday arrested and charged a 26-year-old man of Khan Street, Fyzabad, after he allegedly threatened to beat up a 42-year-old man from whom the suspect had demanded money.                           

According to reports, 12.20 am, Earl Bhallah, of Taylor Avenue, Fyzabad, was standing on Fyzabad Main Road when a man approached him and demanded $100. The suspect threatened to beat up Bhallah if he did not hand over the money. Bhallah managed to escape and went to the Fyzabad police where he made a report. Cpl Oliver and PC Hagard later accompanied Bhallah back to Fyzabad Main Road and subsequently held the suspect. He was charged with demanding money through threats and menace. The suspect was supposed to have appeared before a magistrate yesterday to answer to the charges.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO citizens found guilty of corruption, computer crimes or illegal, electronic transfer of funds can no longer escape the long arm of the law by hiding out in foreign countries. This was the warning sounded by Attorney General Glenda Morean when she piloted the Extradition (Comm-onwealth and Foreign Territories) Order 2003 in Parliament yesterday. The AG said while the original Act of 1985 listed murder and drug-trafficking as extraditable offences, global technological adv-ances have seen an increase in trans-national crimes such as corruption, money laundering and cyber-crime. “In recent times, TT has intensified its efforts to fight corruption which it recognises as a threat to democracy, the economy and the moral fabric of society,” Morean told the Opposition UNC. She said the former regime amended the Act’s schedule in 1995 to include offences under the Treason and Firearms Acts. Morean further recalled that on April 15,1998, the UNC Gove-rnment signed and ratified the Inter-American Con-vention against corruption and joined 92 countries in signing the 1997 Lima Declaration on Corruption. “These international conventions provide guidelines for the various measures which states can adopt to facilitate better investigation, prosecution and prevention of this most brutish form of criminal activity. The Prevention of Corruption Act of TT in accordance with the Convention provides a sound legislative framework for the prevention of corruption,” Morean said, subtly hinting at the UNC government’s failure to deal with corruption..

She declared it has now become necessary to amend the 1995 Act, in accordance with Articles 6 and 13 of the Lima Convention, to include corruption as an extraditable offence. Noting growing concerns about computer misuse and credit card fraud, the AG stated: “Both the Computer Misuse Act 2000 and Electronic Transfer of Funds Act 2000 provide the legislative framework for prevention of computer crimes as well as credit card fraud. It has therefore become necessary to include these acts as extraditable offences to be listed in the first schedule of the Act of 1995.” Pointe-a-Pierre MP Gillian Lucky expressed concern about compatibility of evidence in extradition matters, recalling her role as a State attorney in the extradition of Lolita Saroop to the United States in the early 1990s. She called for “a special police force” and prosecutors to deal with sensitive matters involving extradition and crooked cops. She wondered why the authority to investigate such matters was shifted from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to the Office of the Attorney General. Morean reminded Lucky that this transfer occurred under the UNC.

Parliament was unusually quiet yesterday. MPs were well- behaved, respectful — almost too nice. And there was meaningful debate on the Amendment to the Kidnapping Bill as MPs Gillian Lucky, Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Subhas Panday gave Government blows for poor drafting and raised interesting legal questions on the amendments piloted by Attorney General Glenda Morean. In all of this, there was barely any reference to Monday’s Local Gove-rnment Elections. Save the Healths Minister Colm Imbert’s self-satisfied smile, there was relatively little gloating from Government members in the House of Representatives yesterday as they came face to face with the Opposition MPs for the first time since Monday’s Local Government Elections result. The PNM women — Camille Robinson-Regis, Pennelope Bec-kles and Eulalie James — were decked off in firetruck red, the colour of victory. But it was as if a deliberate decision was taken not to crow on the vanquished. And while there was an air of fulfilment coming from the Government bench, there was  no trumpet-blowing. Deputy Speaker Hedwidge Bereaux, who presided (House Speaker Barry Sinanan having been “unavoidably absent”), set the tone by stating at the start of the sitting that he was going to be enforcing “rigidly” the Standing Orders relating to relevance.

And he did. As Imbert, later enthused that the Opposition seemed to be “bazodee” from Monday, Bereaux, who is a much harder taskmaster than Sinanan, rose promptly to warn the senior politician to leave the “peripheral matters out of the debate.” On the other side, the UNC MPs did not engage in the fiery crosstalk. Even when they tried at moments to hit, as Couva South Kelvin Ramnath did, the barbs lacked their customary sting. His comment, “Yuh rig the election,” didn’t have sharpness. Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar, grudgingly conceded: “Well done!” But when Imbert smiled complacently, she added, with more than a hint of sarcasm: “Not you (Imbert). [Mr] Fridge and stove,” pointing in the direction of  Local Government Minister Jarrette Narine. Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday slipped in around 2 pm and at first engaged in conversation with Winston Dookeran. But as the time wore out, he relaxed and engaged in some good humoured banter with Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Leader of Government Business Ken Valley. For the most part MPs used their energies to debate the legislation at hand. Persad-Bissessar and Lucky argued that the way the amendments were phrased exposed members of the family of kidnap victims who negotiated a ransom with the kidnappers to being charged. Morean, for her part, defended the amendments saying that the language was clear — that the operative words were “a demand” for a ransom, which could only come from a kidnapper, not a family member. Opposition MPs also argued that the Bill did not cater for attempted kidnapping — for those instances where the kidnap victim was able to successfully ward off his kidnapper. The AG said the objective was to zero in on the crime of  kidnapping for a  ransom. Any other offence (such as the attempt to kidnap) was dealt with under the common law, she pointed out. The Opposition was not satisfied with these explanations. But at the end of the day, the Hansard would record that the clauses were unanimously accepted. Despite its objections, the Opposition did not require a division. When Fuad Khan on one occasion called for a division, Imbert stated: “Yuh ain’t find yuh lose enough” and the call was not pursued. 

 

THE 20-year-old man believed to be linked to the murder of Central businessman Gerard Punch was charged with possession of arms and ammunition and marijuana, but is no longer being considered a suspect in that murder.  The man, of Fonrose Street, San Fernando, who was arrested mere hours after Punch was shot dead on Monday night, was scheduled to appear before a San Fernando magistrate yesterday to face the charges. He was arrested around 11 pm on Monday at Drayton Street, San Fernando, after his strange behaviour aroused the suspicion of Cpl Derek Noel and other officers of San Fernando CID, who were on mobile patrol in the area. Reports stated that the man attempted to run when he saw the police approaching him but he was held by the officers. When the officers searched the man, they found and seized a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition and a small quantity of marijuana. He was charged on Tuesday night for the arms, ammunition  and marijuana offences. Meanwhile investigators probing the murder of Punch, 36, who was one of three persons murdered in the country on Local Government Elections day, said they have not yet held any other suspects in connection with his killing. Detective Sgts Dennis Housend and Ajith Persad are continuing investigations.

CULTURAL Ambassador of East Indian music and recipient of a Hummingbird Gold Medal, Moean Mohammed, 68, was yesterday remembered as a man who was an inspiration to artistes and a cultural icon. The glowing tributes were paid yesterday by politicians and friends of Mohammed at his funeral service at his Mohammedville, El Socorro home. Hundreds turned out to pay their final respects in extremely hot conditions,  including Government and Opposition politicians, artistes, family and friends. Mohammed’s body arrived at 9.45 am at the house in a box, covered in a black cloth with Islamic verses written in yellow. Muslims do not bury in coffins. The service included prayers from various Imams and greetings from politicians. Mohammed’s nephew, popular host of the Mastana Bahar programme, welcomed mourners telling them that his uncle had passed away on Monday evening following a long ailment. An opening prayer by Imam Shiraz Ali drew tears from relatives, who wept quietly throughout the service. Culture Minister Pennelope Beckles led the greetings. In expressing her condolences, Beckles recognised the “tremendous contribution” made by Mohammed to the country, acknowledging not only his work but that of his family, both in culture and politics. Opposition Member of Parliament for St Augustine, Winston Dookeran, described Mohammed as a “source of real inspiration for artistes”, a man who left behind many who were inspired by his contribution. “He has left his legacy and a history we can be proud of” said Dookeran, who recalled that Mohammed had committed his life to the development of Indian culture. Also paying tribute to Mohammed were Tony Maharaj, Managing Director of 90.5 FM and Pundit Hardath Maharaj.

Both remembered Mohammed as an icon and cultural ambassador. Pundit Maharaj consoled mourners telling them that Mohammed was only leaving physically, while another Imam said although “a great oak had fallen and the golden voice of radio was silenced”,  his death was merely a part of the evolution to his eventual state. During the service, goose bumps rose as Mohammed’s voice echoed among mourners when a three-second clip of his opening on his popular “Sunday Morning Indian Hour” programme was played. His wife Fazila sat alongside Mohammed’s body throughout the service wiping tears away. She was Mohammed’s second wife, the first died in 1991. Before his body was taken for burial at the El Socorro cemetery, the final prayer, Janaza, was offered. The box bearing Mohammed’s body was placed on the ground and dozens of men, led by Haji Omar offered prayers. Women are not allowed to partake in that prayer. Personalities present were Community Development Minister, Joan Yuille-Williams; Parliamentary Secretary, Satish Ramroop; Eddie Hart, Rose Janniere, Chaguanas Mayor Orlando Nagessar and former Prisons Commissioner Cipriani Baptiste. Opposition MPs Ganga Singh, Sadiq Baksh, Manohar Ramsaran, Chandresh Sharma, former MPs Errol Mahabir and Hulsie Bhaggan as well as attorney Jainath Seeram, SC were also in attendance. Mohammed is survived by his brothers: former Caricom Ambassador Kamal Mohammed and Haidar,  sisters Nazma, Meena and Haliman, his wife Fazila, children Sadro, Aruna, Safie and Zakir, plus five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, including former PNM Senator Nafeesa Mohammed.

CHIEF JUSTICE Sat Sharma said yesterday that the judiciary needs a full complement of at least 42 judges for it to be totally effective in dealing with the increase in litigation. Sharma said there is need for 30 High Court judges and 12 in the Court of Appeal. At present, there are 20 High Court judges, with another two being temporary. There are seven Court of Appeal judges with two vacancies. Apart from the Chief Justice, the Court of Appeal judges are Roger Hamel-Smith, Lionel Jones, Margot Warner, Rolston Nelson, Anthony Lucky, Wendell Kangaloo and Stanley John. The Chief Justice spoke to Newsday yesterday following the piloting of a Bill in the Senate on Tuesday to amend the Supreme Court of Judicature Act for three additional judges to complement the new Family Court which is coming on stream shortly. Attorney General Glenda Morean-Phillip said the three additional judges will be pioneers for the new Family Court. But CJ Sharma said while this is commendable, the judiciary needs more judges. He believes that 30 in the High Court and 12 in the Court of Appeal will be adequate. “You must remember, there are now additional cases on the scene. With the kind of work load, the complexity and length of cases, the number of defendants in more than one case, the increase in criminal activity, there is a definite need for more judges,” the Chief Justice declared.

CJ Sharma said there was also need for more funding. He said he held discussions with the Attorney General on the question of more judges. He said the AG promised to take another note to Cabinet for approval for more judges. With the increase in judges, CJ Sharma said there will be need for more staff and additional equipment. “Right now, we don’t have equipment.” The Chief Justice said judges and magistrates will begin training for the proposed Family Court on July 25. He said they will be trained on aspects dealing with running such a court. Additional training, he added, will be conducted in November. The Chief Justice was pleased in the way the Magistracy was functioning. He said the magistrates were working well and every effort is being made to have their reasons out at the earliest possible time. While there is better professionalism and standard of work, the Chief Justice is still concerned at the conditions at Magistrates’ Courts.  “The Magistrates’ Court continue to be the bug bear, with the deplorable conditions of the buildings at various courts. We had had to shift hours of work so some magistrates will be able to function more effectively,” he added.

Three US residents charged with attempting to import over $5 million worth of heroin were yesterday committed by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls to be taken back to their homeland by US police officials. Erving Torres and Carol Ruiz, of Brooklyn, New York; Mario Gueteirez Morales, a Columbian national residing in California, USA, and Michael Jacques, originally of Luis Street, Woodbrook, presently residing in New York, were arrested in December 2002 by officers of the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit. They were allegedly attempting to board BWIA flights destined for the US with the narcotic. The charge was laid indictably by Sgt Mc Carthy. All but Torres consented to the extradition. Mc Nicolls informed Ruiz, Morales and Jacques that they would be kept in custody until they are delivered to US authorities.

Morales, through interpreter Murchison Elie, asked the magistrate how long it would be before extradition. Prosecutor David West of the office of the Attorney General indicated to the court that they could be lawfully held in Trinidad for no longer than two months from the committal but the prosecution would be waiting for the submission of Torres before the three would be delivered. Torres is to re-appear on August 4 to either consent to or deny the extradition. Mc Nicolls stated, “That could be unfair. What if in August this chap decides to contest the extradition?” West then agreed to have Torres’s matter dealt with separately. The magistrate then informed the trio that they would be delivered, “most likely sometime next month.”

In one of the shortest deliberations ever in a murder trial, a deaf and mute man accused of murdering his brother was freed yesterday. The jury at the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court took only ten minutes to find hearing and speech impaired Bharath Mansingh not guilty of the murder of his brother Mukesh Mansingh on November 27, 1999 at their home at St John’s Road, St. Augustine. After the verdict, Justice Melville Baird advised Bharath’s family that life has not been easy for Bharath because of his hearing and speech impediments and also because he had been in police custody since 1999. Justice Baird encouraged the Mansingh family to support Bharath and give him all the love he needs. He also advised Bharath’s mother, Pooranmatee Mansingh, to spend time with her son, the only family member who learnt how to communicate with Bharath via sign language. The judge said that he has formed the impression that alcohol is taken seriously at the Mansingh’s house and Bharath’s father, Gunness, should keep Bharath away from drinking. The incident had taken place on a night when both Mukesh and his father were drinking.

Bharath, with the assistance of State-assigned interpreter Sharon Tardieu, testified on Friday to stabbing his brother Mukesh four times to the neck and back with a knife he took away from Mukesh because “he (Mukesh) was very angry and violent towards him” and that he saw Mukesh choking his father and tried to pull Mukesh away but could not. Bharath testified that he had tried to make his father and brother stop fighting by using his voice and by sign language. Bharath also testified that during the altercation Mukesh slashed him on his hand with a knife and as a result he received nine stitches. After the verdict, Bharath’s mother, who does not live with the family, held hands with her son and said that they had no immediate plans but that they were very thankful for the decision. The State prosecutors were Althea Alexis and Angelica Teelucksingh while the defence attorneys were SC Israel Khan, Dana Seetahal, Ulric Skerett and Nadia Astraph.