Latest update January 13th, 2025 3:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Jagdeo vs. Kissoon libel case…Absence of plaintiff’s lawyer, main witness costly

Dec 02, 2011 News

Justice Winston Brassington yesterday awarded the cost of $20,000 to Attorneys Nigel Hughes and Christopher Ram, after the lead lawyer for the plaintiff Anil Nandlall and main witness, Dr Roger Luncheon, did not notify the court that they were going to be absent.
President Bharrat Jagdeo has sued Freddie Kissoon, Kaieteur News and its Editor in Chief for $10 million, claiming that a column entitled “King Kong sent his goons to disrupt the conference” pointed to him (Jagdeo) as King Kong. The President has claimed that the article suggests that he is a racist and that “by extension, the State and Government of Guyana, practice racism as an ideology, dogma, philosophy and policy.”
Yesterday as the matter continued, attorney at law Sase Gunraj, who is appeared on behalf of the plaintiff informed the court that Nandlall and Luncheon could not be present because they were tending to matters of “national importance”.
Gunraj said that their absence from the hearing was in no way meant to disrespect the court or the parties involved.
He proceeded to ask the court’s indulgence for a later date for continuance. However, Hughes told the court that neither one of the two persons absent from the proceedings were the Presidential or Prime Ministerial Candidates on the list of electors.
Hughes said he participated in the electoral process and still made the effort to be present. He said that he knows the importance they have, but the court is owed the courtesy of being told of their potential absence from any proceeding.
He said that in these circumstances the defence must ask for costs for the two lawyers who are present.
Gunraj said that he could not object to the application by Hughes and asked to be guided by the court.
Cost was awarded in the sum of $20,000 for Hughes and Ram. The matter is expected to continue on December 21.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Kennard Memorial Turf Club releases Race dates for 2025

Kennard Memorial Turf Club releases Race dates for 2025

Jan 13, 2025

Kaieteur Sports – The prestigious Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) situated at Bush Lot Farm Corentyne Berbice has released its racing dates for the year 2025. The club which is one of the...
Read More
Region Six Education Department Renews Golf Initiative with Guyana Golf Association

Region Six Education Department Renews Golf...

Jan 13, 2025

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional C/ships with fifties

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional...

Jan 12, 2025

Spectators experience and playing standards high on the agenda says Minister Ramson

Spectators experience and playing standards high...

Jan 12, 2025

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open Officially Declared Open

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open...

Jan 12, 2025

Body of Chinese national who fell from new Demerara River bridge recovered

Body of Chinese national who fell from new...

Jan 11, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]