T&T AG served with election petition at funeral

(Trinidad Guardian) In what has been described as gross disrespect to the dead, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi was served an election petition while attending the funeral service of PNM stalwart Errol Mahabir on Friday.

Al-Rawi, who expressed displeasure at the manner in which the petition was served, said he was shocked when a man walked up to him and thrust the document in his face.

He said he was in the middle of expressing his condolences to Yvonne Mahabir, the widow of the late former PNM deputy political leader and minister of petroleum and mines in the cabinet of Dr Eric Williams, when the process server came holding the document. He informed Al-Rawi that he had a document to serve concerning an Elections and Boundaries Commission matter.

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi greets Yvonne Mahabir at the funeral service of her husband Errol Mahabir at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Harris Promenade, San Fernando, on Friday
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi greets Yvonne Mahabir at the funeral service of her husband Errol Mahabir at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Harris Promenade, San Fernando, on Friday

Al-Rawi said he told the man that he was in a church. He explained he was a public officer and he was not in hiding so he did not understand why he had to be served this document at the funeral service.

However, Al-Rawi said, the man informed him he had to immediately serve the document, which was the election petition by the United National Congress with respect to San Fernando West.

Advising the man to wait for an appropriate time to serve the document, Al-Rawi said he was utterly amazed when the process server threw the document at his feet and left saying, “You are now served.”

Saying he was disturbed that the man would show such gross disrespect at a funeral service, Al-Rawi said he was never more surprised by the man’s behaviour. He said in all his years of practice in litigation matters, he has never witnessed such an incident, especially in the middle of a funeral.

The AG revealed that following the funeral service he contacted former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, Gerald Ramdeen and Kelvin Ramkissoon. All of them were listed as lawyers in the election petition. However, both Ramlogan and Ramdeen claimed they were unaware that the petition was served at the funeral. Both men denied giving any instruction to serve the document at the funeral. Al-Rawi said he also contacted Ramkissoon who expressed surprise that his name was listed on the election petition.

Ramkissoon also denied giving any instruction for the document to be given at a funeral, Al-Rawi added.

The AG said while he accepted that members of the UNC were anxious to serve the election petition, he was certain that the people of T&T would appreciate more decorum and class in conducting the affairs of political parties.

He also said that several members of the UNC, including deputy political leader Dr Roodal Moonilal, were present at the funeral when the document was served.

Moonilal: I know nothing about that

In a text message last night, Moonilal denied knowledge of the incident. He wrote, “I know nothing about that at all.” He said, “Al-Rawi approached me after a very meaningful service for a dear friend and mentor Errol Mahabir and I told him this is not the time or the place. I then brushed past him.”

Sturge: Document was served after formal part of proceedings

Meanwhile, attorney Wayne Sturge told CNC3 last night that it was difficult to serve Al-Rawi with the document because of his security detail. Sturge added that the document was served after the formal part of the funeral proceedings had ended. Saying the man who served the petition was not directed as to how to serve the document, Sturge explained that it was up to the man to use his discretion. He noted that the document could not be served in court or in Parliament.

Sturge also said that there was a timeframe for the election petition to be served, noting that it had been difficult to serve the document. He said after the High Court granted leave to file the petition, lawyers representing the PNM were asked if they would accept service of the petition, instead of having the petitioner personally served, and they declined.

Sturge said the UNC had to employ the services of a process service. He noted that the Toco/Sangre Grande MP Glenda Jennings-Smith, Moruga/Tableland MP Lovell Francis and La Horquetta/Talparo MP Maxie Cuffie were served on Thursday.

St Joseph MP Terrence Deyalsingh and Tunapuna MP Esmond Forde are yet to be served.