THE case against former prime minister Basdeo Panday, his wife Oma, former government minister Carlos John and businessman Ishwar Galbaransingh has been discontinued.
It was withdrawn on Monday by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard, SC, when the matter was expected to go to trial before Magistrate Adia Mohammed.
Gaspard appeared before the magistrate and said that the notice of discontinuance had been filed. They were charged in 2005.
Gaspard said, “I have looked at these proceedings and I am of the view that having regard to the fact that several of our key witnesses have now become unavailable, and bearing in mind, my lady, my guiding yardsticks, those being whether or not in the circumstances, to prosecute this matter, or in the prosecution of this matter there will be a fair prospect of conviction, and whether to prosecute this matter, if, on the evidence, there is a fair prospect of conviction such that prosecution will be in the public interest, I have decided to go no further with this matter.”
Mohammed took over the case in 2019 and last September had dismissed an application by the four for their discharge.
The Pandays were charged with corruptly receiving money from John and Galbaransingh who were charged with corruptly giving the money – £25,000 to the couple as it related to the Piarco International Airport expansion project.
In May 2006, former senior magistrate Ejenny Espinet began overseeing a preliminary inquiry which continued until her retirement in 2018.
Upon the case’s restarting, both John and Galbaransingh had argued against it given the costly timeframe of the case.
But Mohammed said there was significant public interest in persons charged being brought to trial.
Last year, the case was adjourned as the State asked for additional time to receive further instructions from the DPP in the matter.
The lawyers representing the men had asked then that their clients be discharged by the court.
Chase Pegus and Justin Phelps represented the Pandays, attorney Rajiv Persad appeared represented Galbaransingh.
John had Sophia Chote, SC, and attorneys Peter Carter and Samantha Ramsaran appearing on his behalf.
