Hughes will not comment on ongoing court case over Mae’s School building

Attorney Nigel Hughes has opted not to comment on the apparent incomplete purchasing arrangement made in 2006 with owner of Mae’s School saying that the matter is engaging the attention of court.

The school owner and founder, Mayfield French-Rodrigues moved to the court last month after she was informed that she would have to remove from the property. Her secondary wing is housed at the Third Avenue, Subryanville location.

The Alliance for Change party of which Hughes is the chairman said in a statement last Wednesday that it has noted the recent publications regarding the acquisition of a property in Subryanville by French-Rodrigues from Hughes in 2006.

“The matter is now subjudice with interlocutory proceedings being conducted. It would be wholly inappropriate for Mr Hughes to comment on this matter which is actively engaging the court’s attention,” the party said adding that the balance of the purchase price remains outstanding.

The two had entered into a purchasing agreement in relation to E½ of Lot 29 Third Avenue, Subryanville, George-town, in 2006 for $20 million, of which $12 million was paid in installments and $8 million left outstanding.

French-Rodrigues moved to the court after being recently informed that the property is the subject of a foreclosure order in favour of Hand-in-Hand Mutual Life Assurance Company Limited.

The court documents filed by French-Rodrigues outlined the agreement and the subsequent transactions that took place. It was stated too the property was exposed for sale at execution on December 10, 2013 and was purportedly sold at auction to Stanford Solomon, who bid the sum of $26,001,000 but no deposit had been paid.

She said too that such a move to remove her from the property will ruin her and will result in the displacement of 300 secondary school students, some of whom are preparing to write CSEC examinations later this year.

That section of the school which is attached to another structure on a next door property also houses the canteen and auditorium, offices, washrooms and other administrative and learning spaces.

During an in-chamber hearing before Justice Rishi Persaud on January 20, French-Rodrigues was able to secure several orders, one of which allows her to remain on the property until the determination of the court proceedings.