Already Oil-rich? Or wealth (to come)?
I seriously doubt that I have the ability, journalistic/ literary stamina and relevance to write daily letters to the press.
That’s just one reason why the daily prolix professional letter writer who graces two/ three print media-pages beat me to it. To what?
Well, it’s a theme I won’t dwell on again today but merely summaries repetitive thoughts long-held. It’s the theme of justice. Where is it present, dispersed or even denied to many who can’t afford it? My pieces, over the nearly thirty-year old working-man’s column here-bereft of academia; of lofty quotation and /or verbosity- attempted to explore the legal complex concept of “not guilty but not innocent” (my usage here.)
In the recent fortnight my layman’s mind grappled with handed down decisions of various levels of our courts of law. These decisions didn’t—and don’t–discuss the accused’s guilt. But rather the persuasion-or lack of such-of the learned prosecutors.
Our inherited British-originated system of (courtroom) justice requires that the prosecution proves beyond any shadow of any doubt that the accused is guilty as charged and has been (successfully) prosecuted.
Decades ago an attorney told me that in France, for example, it is the accused who has to prove and convince that he/she is innocent. I know not whether that system still obtains there.
From some conversations as well as from numerous accurate media reports over the years (of this feature) I have quoted magisterial and judicial findings as to why many accused had to be set free. Too numerous, too varied to repeat here, although I’ll mention hereunder how accused were “spared” once more. Poor prosecution. The prosecutors were not as sharp as the experienced, better-prepared defence counsel. According to the principles of the courts the accused had to be found not guilty even though all knew that accused was not innocent! He or she was responsible. But the police and the prosecution lost the “justice” debate. Allegation not “proven.” Oh western justice…
But what reminded me of all the foregoing?
******
Minister: No Case, Manslaughter, Not Murder
Past ten days ago a case brought against former finance minister Jordan by current Attorney-General Nandlall was thrown out of consideration by High Court judge Reynolds.
Jordan was being accused of an “illegal” and “controversial/ contentious” sale of prime river-frontage land.
Among his decisions the judge found that the AG was not the proper party to file the action against the former minister as he – the AG – “did not satisfy the elements of the tort”. Poor me. Poor us. The case was not even heard! I won’t know whether the former honorable minister was guilty of wrong-doing or not. Will minister/AG Nandlall appeal that ruling?
In the other case to arrest my attention a lady judge reduce an accused murderer’s charge to one of manslaughter for killing his wife and burying her body in sand in their yard. The old fellow did kill his wife. But the court quoted numerous failure of the prosecution’s case – caution statement, mitigating factors; then there was a deduction for the accused’s “guilty plea”
Conclusion? Manslaughter, not murder. The wife remains “dead as a doornail” as justice was served. In court! Agreed?
******
Garry’s granny, “justice” for them?
Related to today’s foregoing issues above is this sad sad tale. You decide if it’s actual or fictional.
Garry was a 40-year old Christian-minded senior security guard who lived with his ailing 79-year old grandmother. It was always rumored that she had lots of money hidden away in their modest cottage. One evening Garry took home his company’s Taurus .32 weapon.
Late after dinner as he and his old grandmother were chatting two armed intruders barged into their peaceful space. They roughed up the old soul demanding her savings, they assaulted Garry at gun-point too. Even as his granny suffered an instant heart attack and died!
But the bandits were still menacing as Garry surprised them, grabbed his hidden firearm and managed to shoot both dead.
Three persons died that night. Only Garry was left alive to face a double murder charge. “Justice” is to be served. In court.
******
Oil rich? How much so?
Yes the oil fields ‘belonging’ to Guyana are in the Atlantic 200 miles beyond our seawall. And it is predicted that oil and gas will flow from a few decades to come. Even an NCN promo/AD projects millions upon millions for us even after I’m gone.
Somehow I don’t like the “oil-rich” description when it is not yet manifest that the “wealth” is trickling down. So I join the call for at least, monthly transparent reports on revenues collected.
And I share these SN sentiments:
“Guyana does have access to large flows of oil revenues and this will be so for the foreseeable future though there are a number of attendant risks. These revenues belong to the people. The government is a mere custodian. It must not operate as if it is the sole arbiter.
It made eminent sense for the people of this country to be made aware of which projects were being financed by oil flows so one could measure carefully the efficacy and wisdom of the use of outlays. Rather foolishly this government is not distinguishing how the oil monies are being spent even if the sums must first be deposited in the Consolidated Fund.
******
Spare a thought, ponder…
1) Multi- million dollar robberies recently? A real clear-and-present sub-sector.
2) The annual General Assembly of the International Decade for people of African descent- Assembly Guyana, is on in two weeks. Will Brother Vincent invite me??
Til next week! (allanafenty@yahoo.com)
