[Bendedknees]

There is news that Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has been arrested.
This is in connection with his secret London accounts at a bank in England.

    By Richard Lord

    THE Integrity Commission has completed its investigation into an alleged $10 million London bank account in the name of UNC leader Basdeo Panday and his wife, Oma, and sent a report to Director Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson on Thursday.

    Henderson, in confirming receipt of the report, said yesterday a team of “senior lawyers” within his office has begun further investigations to determine what action, if any, should be taken against Panday.

    Henderson said: “It will take some time to arrive at the proper conclusion on the laws that may be applied to determine what and if any action will be taken.”

    The Integrity Commission usually does one of two things after it completes an investigation—close the file or forward a report to the DPP.

    Panday said yesterday he had information that he would be arrested next week.

    He said this while making a “personal statement” following a two-hour UNC retreat at De Freitas Ranch in Valencia.

    “It has come to my notice that yesterday Mr Manning held a very secret and private press conference at which he said that next week I shall be arrested.”

    Panday said based on what was allegedly said at that “secret meeting” between Manning and the journalists “there is an inevitable conclusion that Mr Manning is working in collusion with the Director of Public Prosecutions because only he can determine that”.

    One of the four journalists who were at Manning’s official residence on Thursday night said they had been there for drinks and “off the record discussions” with the Prime Minister.

    The journalists who attended the meeting were BBC Caribbean Service freelancer Tony Fraser, Newsday’s Ria Taitt, Sasha Mohammed of The Wire, and Rosemarie Sant of TV6, sister company of the Express.

    The Express had not been invited.

    Manning had asked the journalists to switch off all recorders and had requested too that there should be no note-taking.

    TV6 reported last night that all four reporters had denied that Manning had said anything about Panday being arrested.

    But Panday said he was prepared for jail.

    “I am prepared to face anything. After being in the political trenches for 36 years, you are not afraid of anything.”

    He said it wouldn’t be the first time the PNM “had sought to win elections by oppression”, but added that he would be “victorious” in the end.

    Panday said he was confident “the people will protect me, and if I’m not, then I ought not to be protected anyway”.

    Panday said his supporters “are rational and reasonable people and they know what they have to do. My instructions are: Do not engage in violence. If I am in jail don’t take me out, just do what you have to do.”

    He again denied that he had a $10 million account in London.

[Sugar_Plum]

There is news that Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has been arrested.
This is in connection with his secret London accounts at a bank in England.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is there an article or something you could direct us to for more information? Thanks.

[Bendedknees]

There is news that Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has been arrested.
This is in connection with his secret London accounts at a bank in England.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is there an article or something you could direct us to for more information? Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

SP regrettably this is a breaking story and we dont have a real West Indian "Online Newspaper"

As soon as there is something available I am sure one of our members will post.

Cheers

[RED HERRING]

Panday said he was confident “the people will protect me, and if I’m not, then I ought not to be protected anyway”.

    Panday said his supporters “are rational and reasonable people and they know what they have to do. My instructions are: Do not engage in violence. If I am in jail don’t take me out, just do what you have to do.”

    He again denied that he had a $10 million account in London.

What sorta foolish Baseo is uttering? The so call power of men is allways reliant on the collective powers of other men. no real power.

The leaders of Trinidad must really think that Trinidadians foolish. Can't it be determine for sure whether Baseo and his Wife does have such an account? and what is so out of place for him to have this amount of cash? is this amount missing from elsewhere? In his 30 something years feeding at the public trough and at times controling it this is not unusual, how many other fifedom leaders current and pass juck duh hand in the cookie jar......To bad Baseo if you become the only that got caught or is found guilty of such.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A CASE OF KEEP YOUR ENEMIES CLOSE AND IN CHECK.

Adrian

Panday better hope DUBYA DOAN FIND DAT THIS MONEY TRAIL LEADS BACK TO AL QAIDA .U KNOW DAT TRINIDAD WAS SAID TO BE A SAFE HAVEN FOR ONE OF THEM SUSPECTED TERRORIST.

[Administrator]

Panday in jail


Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Basdeo Panday, is tonight settling into the remand yard of the Frederick Street Prison after he refused to accept a US$125, 000 bail offer set by a magistrate.

Panday, who served as Prime Minister from 1995 to 2001, was today charged with receiving the sum of US $41,000 in a London bank account in 1998, and failing to disclose the account - owned by himself and his wife - to the Integrity Commission.

Police sources said that Panday’s wife, Oma, will likely face related charges.
Reports say Mr. Panday is expected to refuse bail when he appears in court tomorrow.
Carlos John, who served as a minister in Panday's Cabinet was released on US$125,000 bail after being charged with corruptly providing the US$41,000 to Panday and his wife.

[Bendedknees]

I read this and I wonder when integrity legislation will come to BIM or more importantly when politicians will be fearful of misbehavior whilst doing the people's business.




Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday is escorted to the Port of Spain Magistrates' Court on a corruption charge arising out of the airport project yesterday

OPPOSITION Leader Basdeo Panday spent last night in jail, having refused to take bail yesterday after being charged with corruption.

Also charged were his wife Oma Panday, former works minister under the UNC regime and CL Financial executive Carlos John, and Northern Construction Ltd (NCL) chairman Ishwar (Ish) Galbaransingh.

Panday was arrested by members of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau (ACIB) at the Opposition Office at Charles Street, Port of Spain, just after meeting a delegation of Indian MPs who were in the country for the Indian Arrival Day celebrations over the weekend. Members of the delegation, including Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, were present when the officers arrived.

Heavily armed officers had earlier in the day searched the Bryans Gate home of Panday, who was in Port of Spain at the time.

Mrs Panday later surrendered to the ACIB with her attorneys Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Prakash Ramadhar. All the accused were taken to the ACIB offices at Henry Street, Port of Spain, before being escorted to the St Vincent Street Court.

Mrs Panday, the last to be arrested and charged, appeared before Clerk of the Peace III Eugene Prince at the Port of Spain Magistrates' Court just before 5 p.m. yesterday.

The three men appeared separately before Magistrate Ejenny Espinet in the Port of Spain First Magistrates' Court.

Galbaransingh was coincidentally sitting in the docks of the Port of Spain Magistrates' Court yesterday, facing other charges arising out of the Piarco Airport Development Project (PADP).

When that preliminary enquiry was adjourned for the day, ACIB officers arrested Galbaransingh, who was represented by attorney Rajiv Persad, as he left the court and then took him to the ACIB's Henry Street offices before returning him to court.

Panday and his wife are each charged with corruptly receiving £25,000 or over $250,000 on December 30, 1998 from Galbaransingh and John in an account to favour NCL in getting Construction Package 3 (CP 3) in the Piarco Airport Development Project (PADP).

Galbaransingh and John are charged with allegedly corruptly giving Panday and his wife over $250,000 on December 24, 1998 to favour NCL in CP 3.

Panday, his wife and John were each allowed bail in the sum of $750,000 while Galbaransingh was issued bail in the sum of $1 million.

Smiling broadly, Panday arrived before Espinet and gave the thumb's up to the handful of supporters who had gathered in the court.

He told the magistrate he had no legal representation in the matter and intended to represent himself throughout the proceedings.

Attorneys Robin Montano and Prakash Ramadhar were present in court and Panday had a brief word with Ramadhar before speaking to Espinet.

Around 4.45 p.m., an unmarked white Lancer was reversed into the section of the Magistrates' Court where prisoners are loaded into prison vans and Panday was hustled into the back seat, sandwiched by two police officers.

All he said in response to questions from reporters was: "Didn't we all expect this?"

At political meetings after allegations of corruption arose against the ruling PNM, Panday had said that more members of the UNC would be arrested as a distraction from those allegations.

He had also told supporters that the next time he was charged they should not take his bail.

Panday, a former prime minster, is also before the courts for failing to declare a London bank account.

It is not the first time that Panday has been to jail.

He was arrested and jailed in 1975 while on a march to Port of Spain on March 18.

That day came to be known as "Bloody Tuesday" when Panday (who had formed the United Labour Front (ULF) one month before), John Humphrey and then president general of the Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) George Weekes, were arrested and jailed during the term of the then PNM administration under prime minister Dr Eric Williams.

Sources said last night that Panday was being kept at the State Prison, Frederick Street, Port of Spain.

He will stay in the remand yard and be taken to court only on days when his matters are called, unless his bail is taken.

Panday's, John's and Galbaransingh's matters have all been adjourned to June 7, while Mrs Panday is to appear today before Espinet.

Galbaransingh and Mrs Panday were mum when leaving the court while John, who was represented by Sophia Chote, said only: "Once your conscience is clear, you are cool."
 

[Bendedknees]

01.06.05 Panday rejects bail after being charged with Corruption

Media Player Video Clip of the arrest

[DeTruth]

At least T/T is showing that no man is an island; although, the outcome could be another issue. I wonder if B/dos, the Isle of Pride, would one day decide to let the chips fall where they may, expose from the top-down, and stop hiding behind the curtain.

[Beep_Beep]

If this is a taste of what CSME and the CCJ will bring about, all I can say is lets hurry up with those luxury suites at the proposed new prison in St Philip.
I wonder if T&T had long a drawn out Commission of Inquiry over this issue?
Still Bajans politicians have nothing to fear, Government members and Opposition members are the same bloody rats in the same bloody pack.

This post has been edited by Beep_Beep: 01 June 2005 - 08:48 PM

[Snoop]

At least T/T is showing that no man is an island; although, the outcome could be another issue.  I wonder if B/dos, the Isle of Pride,  would one day decide to let the chips fall where they may, expose from the top-down, and stop hiding behind the curtain.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree DT. Although this could fizzle, at least the Trinidadians have the guts to levy some charges. Would that ever happen in Bim? I am not holding my breath. Too many condos in Miami and parts north at stake. I have no doubt that there are more than enough greasy pockets in Bajan government, but as Beep said, regardless of party affiliation, it's the same animal.

[Bendedknees]

What is Panday trying to prove by refusing bail?
Opportunistic if you ask me.

Chuspe!

[Bizzy Lickum]

BY INDARJIT SEURAJ

Former prime minister Basdeo Panday was today sentenced to serve six years’ imprisonment with hard labour, after he was found guilty on three counts of failing to declare his London bank account.

However, the Opposition leader will only serve two years as the sentences are to run concurrently.

The ruling was handed down by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls who also imposed a $20,000 fine on each count.

panday was also ordered to forfeit a total of £159,600.35, the total accumulated year-end balances in the London account for the three years for which he was charged.

In default of these fines, McNicolls said, the Opposition leader will face another three years with hard labour.

The decision brought shock to the capacity-filled Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates courtroom, and even tears to some of the many UNC supporters.

Lead defence attorney Desmond Allum, SC’s, application for bail was denied after he gave oral notice of their intention to appeal the decision.

The sentence was handed down to the former trade union leader, despite Allum’s plea in mitigation.

Allum asked that community service be considered as an alternative to prison incarceration.

He said the matter was one of failure to declare his assets, and asked that McNicolls bear in mind that it was not a corruption charge. Allum added that the former prime minister was “a person of impeccable character” and dedicated his life to the betterment of society.

He had earlier described as “reprehensible,” last week’s raid on the home of CL Financial executive chairman Lawrence Duprey.

Allum called for the matter to be stayed and those involved referred to the Director of Public Prosecution and committed to the High Court for contempt of court.

He chided the manner in which it was carried out where media personnel were there to publicise the raid.

He also condemned the statements by Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau head Joseph Edwards who said the raid was geared at getting information to substantiate the testimony given by Duprey or to negate it.

In response, lead prosecutor British Queen’s Counsel Sir Timothy Cassel said the matter was not before a jury and the raid, although he described it as “most regrettable,” he said the public has confidence in McNicolls’ ruling.

Before ruling, McNicolls said, “I wish to put on record this: the people of Trinidad and Tobago should know that my mind is free from all sorts of influences because of this immense coverage given by the media in this matter and that they had no bearing whatever in the decision I have arrived at.

“The maxim ‘justice is blind’ and there is a rule of law for everyone regardless of personality is still alive and well in our society today.”

Decision:

Guilty on all three counts of failing to declare a London Bank account to the Integrity Commission for the years 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively, contrary to Section 27 (1)( of the Integrity in Public Life Act 1987.

Sentence:

Two years’ imprisonment with hard labour on each of the three counts.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

A fine of $20,000 on each count.

He is to forfeit the equivalent of £159,600.35, the total accumulated year-end balances in the account for the three years charged.

In default of these payments, he will serve a further three years’ imprisonment with hard labour.


©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

[Bendedknees]

I am not finding excuses for Panday but I wonder how much politicking is happening here. However I am a great advocate for integrity legislation and I cant wait to see it proclaimed in BIM. So often we see politicians enter politics with a white mout an exit like a lord.

[Beep_Beep]

Lets hope that this is a wake up call for all Caribbean Politicians .

[lefty]

Lets hope that this is a wake up call for all Caribbean Politicians .

Wake up call to tief as much as they can before the legislation get passed.

[Bendedknees]

We always forget that it is we the people who permit our politicians to do what they do. Why is it that we dont hear our call-ins inundated with calls to discuss integrity legislation?

[AntiguaBlack]

Dumb and Dumber!

Panday must have graduated from the Daryl Strawberry school of finance. Are these people retarded? Have they never heard of numbered accounts in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands? If you’re accepting bribes from local hoods, the last place you want to put your ill-gotten gains is the US or UK. If they can’t connect you to the money, the crown has no case.

[Administrator]

Wait... Panday is the first casualty of a law that he was instrumental in passing?