Fear of international repercussions over Gray allegations

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THERE are far reaching international repercussions to be considered if justice is not done in the alleged judicial interference case involving MICAL MP V Alfred Gray, Bahamas Bar Association President Elsworth Johnson said yesterday.

Mr Johnson called on the government to set in motion an independent inquiry with a senior retired justice and a senior member of the Bahamas Bar to head up the probe.

He told The Tribune that the Bar Association is deeply concerned about the matter because public confidence with the judicial process should never be undermined.

He said Mr Gray, as a senior Cabinet minister and seasoned attorney, should have never placed a call to Mayaguana Administrator Zephaniah Newbold to offer what Mr Gray has called “legal advice” concerning the matter of a young man convicted in his constituency. Mr Newbold was the local magistrate who presided over the case.

While the intention might have been simply to offer help, Mr Johnson said Mr Gray should have instead asked an attorney to inquire on the case with a view to distancing himself from the appearance of any wrongdoing.

Mr Johnson said: “With matters like these all leaders and politicians ought to understand the concept of the Rule of Law. They would then have an appreciation for the separation of power.

“As Mr Gray is a senior minister and a senior attorney one would presume that he understands the independence of the judiciary and that it is vital to any country’s wellbeing.”

Mr Gray has faced harsh criticism since the Free National Movement accused him of abusing his power after he contacted Administrator Newbold last week on the case.

Although Mr Gray has confirmed that he did contact the island administrator, he has strongly denied that he in any way attempted to sway the course of justice.

He has said he only advised the administrator that he had the option of granting bail, since an appeal had been filed.

However, The Nassau Guardian reported on Wednesday that Mr Newbold said he released the convicted youth outright “after an order came forth.” He said the young man was not on bail as Mr Gray had claimed.

This is a point of concern for the Bar Association, Mr Johnson said.

“If it is that the acting magistrate had already completed and handed down (a) ruling there is nothing else that he could have done with the case. But our laws, through the Criminal Procedure Code, say that the person could appeal.

“One would never want in any country to have the executive telling the judiciary what to do. It is just seriously dangerous. Courts should always be seen to be independent. I would ask the government to conduct an independent inquiry.”

He expressed fears that “watching eyes” in the international community might view the Bahamas as a country with no respect for its laws.

“International persons are always looking at this country to invest. One of the first things that investors do is to see how the court system works and they consider how they might settle matters if they were to end up in court. They need the assurance that the decision of the court will always be upheld,” Mr Johnson said.

A police investigation began this week into the matter. State Legal Affairs Minister Damian Gomez has said someone will likely be prosecuted in view of the allegations.

On Wednesday, Mr Gray asked Prime Minister Perry Christie to relieve him of the local government portfolio pending the results of the investigation. He has said the police probe will vindicate him.

However, he still retains his substantive post as minister of agriculture and marine resources. The FNM has called for his complete dismissal in view of the controversy.

Comments

proudloudandfnm says...

Gray. The 70s and 80s are gone bro. You can't just be letting criminals go anymore. Pindling is dead son.....

Your ass is in deep doo doo son.... Damn criminal....

Posted 27 March 2015, 1:58 p.m. Suggest removal

duppyVAT says...

Why do Bahamians really think that anyone would ever know the truth in this matter ...... short of the intervention of Interpol, CIA, MI-6, Scotland Yard or the Mossad???????? If the Nolle AG and the RBPF are doing an investigation.......... its a dead end

Posted 27 March 2015, 2:23 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

The problem in our country is EVERYBODY is corrupt. Take a look at what the mother said. Take a look at those idiots banging n the desks. They have been doing things the wrong way for so long they don't know what right is

Posted 27 March 2015, 3:21 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

I would never want to disrespect Lawyers or any one else for that matter. Not like the former PM. But I am with Mr; Wayne Munroe on this one. . Remember the white contractor who stole power. he never spent jail time he had a good lawyer. This poor black young man did not have a lawyer. It seems this all happened very quickly. Now if the Contractor had been poor and black he would still be in jail. Where is the justice? The young man deserves punishment for his actions But not three months in Jail..

Posted 27 March 2015, 4:31 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Mr Gray **should** have gotten him a lawyer. But he didn't. **Instead** he called the magistrate, cuss him out, threatened to fire him and ordered him to release a prisoner. Allegedly.

Posted 27 March 2015, 5:16 p.m. Suggest removal

thomas says...

People like this Bird got us up the creek now

Posted 27 March 2015, 4:40 p.m. Suggest removal

lumi says...

This would be no revelation to the international community, only confirmation.

Posted 27 March 2015, 5:21 p.m. Suggest removal

duppyVAT says...

Fred Smith has no beef with V Alfred Gray ................. he straight........... LOL

Posted 27 March 2015, 7:26 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

I always say we pander too much to foreigners quick give me a brief case and a accent an sum bleaching cream!

Posted 27 March 2015, 9:49 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

Wonder if the Tribune gonna reveal who the arresting officer was in this matter and what he is notorious for. Then people may understand why Gray saw the need to intervene. Or maybe we have to read it in the punch bowl.

Posted 29 March 2015, 6:11 p.m. Suggest removal

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