‘No law broken - but not something to happen again’

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY press secretary Keishla Adderley said no rules or laws were broken when Immigration Minister Keith Bell swore in three people as citizens at a funeral over the weekend - although it is not something “anyone would like to see happen again”.

She said the “law is silent” on locations for swearing-in ceremonies.

“Well, let me say, for starters, there was nothing sinister, I don’t think, about the act,” she said during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister. Minister Keith Bell has conceded that it was something that was unorthodox. Certainly, no rules or laws were broken in the execution of that swearing-in ceremony.”

“It is something that the two have discussed –– the minister and the Prime Minister –– and certainly, it’s not something that anyone would like to see happen again. He conceded again that it was unorthodox, no laws were broken, but it’s not something that we expect to see  happen again,” she told reporters yesterday.”

 Mr Bell swore in three people during a funeral for Franck Racine, a man he said came to The Bahamas from Haiti in the 1990s. In granting citizenship to Mr Racine’s relatives, Mr Bell said he was honouring the man’s dying wish. He said Cabinet had approved citizenship for the people.

 Critics questioned whether Mr Bell was authorised to administer the citizenship oaths.

 The Bahamas Nationality Act regulations say the citizenship declarations “shall be of no effect unless they are signed in the presence of or administered by a justice of the peace or notary public or any person authorized to administer oaths”.

 Asked if Mr Bell was authorised to administer the oath, the deputy press security said the law does not say who should administer the oath.

 “Again, the persons in question went through the proper protocols,” she said. “Their applications were submitted. They went through the vetting process at the point that the oath was taken. Those things would have been completed, and it was just for the oath to be taken at that point.”

 Former Immigration Minister Shane Gibson said he always administered citizenship oaths, adding that the ceremony granting the status has sometimes been performed in people’s homes.

 Mr Gibson argued that Mr Bell, a lawyer, is a “notary public” and qualified to administer the oath.

 Mr Gibson’s successor, Brent Symonette, said he never administered oaths.

Comments

mandela says...

Another Lanisha Rolle getting giddy with power.

Posted 30 June 2023, 8:44 a.m. Suggest removal

bahamianson says...

It's called , "The God Complex". That's what you suffer from . They need to research people whom become politicians and say, do you know who I am.

Posted 30 June 2023, 1:59 p.m. Suggest removal

bahamianson says...

The other minister of sports wanted her image placed on the award.

Posted 30 June 2023, 1:59 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

You been peaking in my brain. All morning I been thinking that Keith Bell is the male version of Lanisha Rolle. No sound judgement. and he will be allowed to skate from one embarrassment to another until his final hurrah blows the mess over the entire party (I just see I was peaking in @mandela brain)

Posted 1 July 2023, 9:49 a.m. Suggest removal

ExposedU2C says...

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

Posted 1 July 2023, 7:05 p.m.

sheeprunner12 says...

Lanisha was fired by HAM & the PLP has her before the courts.

So, what should happen to Bell?????

Posted 2 July 2023, 7:12 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

Perhaps he was trying to bring comfort to the family? but the hounds of hell are after him
because he said the govorment spent 40 or 44 million to drredge the harbour. then gave it as a gift. how long will it take to get returns on their investment. Head tax has nothing to do with it. as the uncle toms kiss up.

Posted 2 July 2023, 7:20 p.m. Suggest removal

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