Attorney at law Nigel Hughes is considering filing private criminal charges against embattled Police Commissioner Henry Greene who was accused of raping a mother of two but he said that this would depend on him gaining access to all statements and reports in relation to the case.
Last week Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang quashed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack’s advice to charge Greene which also prevents the police from acting on her advice.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, Hughes said that he left the country shortly after Justice Chang made his ruling and as such was unable to take any action. He said that with this turn of events he is in a position to file private criminal charges but is handicapped by the fact that he is not in possession of the police statements or those gathered by the Jamaica police team.
He assured that when he returns to the country he will immediately consider all the options available in the best interest of his client.
Hughes who has been representing the woman since she went public with her claim last December, had previously expressed hope that the DPP would appeal the judge’s decision and had told this newspaper that he will be approaching her in relation to this since he does not believe the advice to charge should have been reviewed by the court.
Stabroek News despite attempts yesterday was unable to reach the DPP to ascertain whether she plans to appeal Chang’s ruling.
Meanwhile Attorney General Anil Nandlall said that “an appeal is an issue that we are actively considering” adding that there is a six-week period during which this could be done.
He told Stabroek News that he only received a copy of the 64-page ruling by Justice Chang on Monday and is yet to look at its contents to ascertain whether or not an appeal can be made.
The woman in the presence of Hughes had told reporters that she was sexually abused by Greene on the night of November 22 last after she had sought his assistance in solving a police matter. The incident, according to her, was committed at a city hotel.
The woman had related that Greene after committing the act warned her against telling anyone or visiting any medical institution or doctor in connection with the matter. According to her, he bought food for her on Regent Street and later transported her to her home.
President Donald Ramotar later announced that Greene was proceeding on leave to facilitate an investigation and that he had ordered that external assistance be sought by the Home Affairs Ministry to conduct the probe.
After being in possession of the file for several weeks, the DPP advised that Greene be charged with rape in February. Before police could have instituted a charge, a team of lawyers headed by Senior Counsel Rex Mc Kay moved to the court to block it. Justice Chang granted temporary orders blocking the DPP’s advice and barring the police from instituting the charge.
After hearing the case on several occasions and reviewing written submissions, Justice Chang made his ruling which has since attracted a lot of criticism.
