THE Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago condemns National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds for saying that criminals were friends with people in high places like the police service, customs, Defence Force, Parliament and the Judiciary.
In a release on Thursday the Judiciary stated, “While the Judiciary has seen and recognises the statement of the Honourable Attorney General with regard to the statement of the Minister of National Security, the Judiciary notes that gratuitous statements such as those made by the Honourable Minister have a dangerous effect of undermining public trust and confidence in the Judiciary and the rule of law and as such have no place in our society.
“In these circumstances, the Judiciary is forced to condemn the unfortunate statement by the Honourable Minister that criminals have friends in the Judiciary.”
Hinds made the statement at a press conference when he spoke about firearms dealer Brent Thomas who won a constitutional motion against the state after he was taken from Barbados where he was in transit to undergo medical treatment in Miami.
Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, had asked to be fully briefed on the Thomas and said that he had a word with Hinds on his statements.
The AG requested urgent advice on the merits of an appeal from lead counsel representing his Office as the person responsible for the defence of constitutional propriety of agents of the State.
Armour issued a press release on Wednesday stating that as the defendant in the judgement of the High Court in the matter of CV 2022-04567 Brent Thomas v AGTT & DPP he acknowledged that the findings of the judge raised serious concerns as to the constitutional propriety of actions of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
His attention has also been drawn to recent reported remarks made by Hinds during a televised address to the nation on Monday.
Armour said, “The Minister spoke in the main to the hard work of the members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in the fight against crime and criminals in this country and, to the fight in which all law abiding citizens and all institutions are engaged for “the soul of Trinidad and Tobago”.
He said, “His remarks also touched on the judgment of the High Court in the Brent Thomas matter. In the course of his general remarks the minister made a statement that the “criminals have friends everywhere in this country”, which statement could be interpreted, inferentially, to impact the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago.
“I have viewed the televised recording of the Minister’s media conference which has given rise to the print reports appearing in the print media of the 3rd of May 2023. I have also spoken with the Honourable Minister. I am satisfied that it was not the intention of the Minister, in any way, to impugn the integrity of the Judiciary of this country, either in any particular matter or generally.”
Hinds, like all members of the Government of this country, has a healthy respect for the integrity and exceptional competence of the Judiciary, Armour stated.
It was due to that respect, Government continues to seek Opposition support in making the Caribbean Court of Justice, the final Court of Appeal.
“As Attorney General, I issue this statement to put assurance beyond doubt on this important subject, which must not allow any room for mischief,” Armour stated.
The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has launched an investigation into the findings by High Court judge Justice Devindra Rampersad who found that Thomas was unlawfully arrested from Barbados by the TTPS and transported back to Trinidad to face criminal charges.
The matter was raised on last week in Parliament by Member of Parliament for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilal during the debate on an opposition motion of no confidence against National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds.
Dr Moonilal said, “From the judgment, it is said that the Defence Force assisted the TTPS to fly to Barbados and to illegally abduct a citizen of T&T and bring him back to T&T, to face charges and so forth.”
Dr Moonilal called on Hinds to say whether he had any involvement or approval in the matter.
In a response, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young disclosed that the plane which brought Thomas back to Piarco was assigned to the Regional Security Services (RSS), based in Barbados.
He did not reveal any further information because he said the matter was before the Court.
