A private criminal charge has been filed by attorney Christopher Ram against former President Bharrat Jagdeo over controversial statements the latter made at a Babu John, Por Mourant event held by the PPP on March 8th.
Jagdeo has been summoned to appear in court on April 20th at Whim, Corentyne.
In a statement today issued by the PPP, former Attorney General Bernard de Santos, who said he had been retained by Jagdeo, described the private charge as “political sensationalisation and mischief”.
The statement by de Santos follows:
I have been retained by Former President Bharat Jagdeo in relation to a private criminal charge filed against him at the Whim Magistrates’ Court where he is summoned to appear on April 20th 2015, to answer the said charge. The charge, as I understand it, is as a result of what Mr. Jagdeo is alleged to have said at a public event held at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Corentyne on March 8th 2015. The charge purports to be filed under section 139D of The Representation of the Peoples Act, Cap 1:02. The charge was filed by Christopher Ram, a known critic who seems to have an unnatural obsession with my client.
I have examined the statements allegedly made by Mr. Jagdeo and which form the basis of the charge; I have examined the section of the law under which the charge has been laid and in my view the charge is frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the process of the court in which it has been filed. Indeed, it is a gross misinterpretation and colossal misuse and abuse of section 139D of the Representation of the Peoples Act, Cap1:02.
I will not speculate in relation to the motive which inspired the institution of the charge. I will say however, that it constitutes an abridgement of the constitutional right and freedom of my client to speak and express himself freely. Indeed, this unprecedented use of a criminal charge to muzzle speakers at public political events is an assault on the democratic right of political leaders to speak freely on matters of national interest as well as a violation of the democratic right of the citizenry to receive such information. I can only imagine the devastating consequences which can flow if the criminal justice system will be used in such a manner and across the political divide. This is nothing more than political sensationalisation and mischief.
It is my sincere hope that this matter will be speedily reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
