Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
Jagdeo libel suit continues…Another witness takes the stand
Executed businessman Errol Butcher’s son, Jason Abdulla, was the latest person called to give evidence in the Jagdeo libel suit yesterday as the matter continued before Justice Brassington Reynolds.
Jason Abdulla
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo filed the motion against Kissoon, Kaieteur News’ Editor Adam Harris and the newspaper’s Publisher, Glenn Lall, for $10 million in damages. The former President in his statement of claim said that the article ‘King Kong sent his goons to disrupt the Conference’ libeled him.
Attorney at law Sase Gunraj informed the court that they could not have continued with the previous witness Raul Kissoon, since he was no longer employed at the Office of the President. According to Gunraj, Abdulla worked at OP in the same department as Kissoon.
He said that they will attempt to get the exhibits tendered through Abdulla. There was no objection by any of the requisite parties and Gunraj proceeded to lead his examination of the witness.
According to the witness he was employed at the Office of the President, as a media officer. He said that his duties include monitoring the print and electronic media. Abdulla said that he also has to compile articles and stories relating to the government and President.
He told the court that the stories are then referred to the relevant personnel for proper response and record keeping. The witness was asked if he was asked to do anything for the case. According to Abdulla prior to the last court date he was asked to examine the articles written by Kaieteur News columnist, Freddie Kissoon, which contained words such as “dictatorship, King Kong, Fascism” with reference to the former president.
At this point Justice Reynolds interjected and said that he could not allow the witness to use those words and that he had a discomfort with them. That line of questioning was aborted by the lawyer. The witness was then asked various questions about where the articles could be found, and where they were kept.
However, Attorney at law Nigel Hughes said that he saw no relevance in the question and that they should look at the statement of claim.
Gunraj proceeded with his questions and several copies of Kaieteur News were tendered into evidence. Hughes cross examined Abdulla.
Abdulla denied allegations yesterday that he was part of a group which is behind the “liveinguyana.blogspot”.
He was then asked if he ever visited that website. Abdulla replied in the negative. Hughes then proceeded to ask the witness if he was aware of the contributors to the website and Abdulla again replied in the negative.
The question was then put to the witness, that if he would agree that he was one of the principle contributors of the website. Abdulla strongly denied this. He was then asked if he was the son of executed businessman Errol Butcher.
At this point Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos made an objection to the line of questioning. According to the lawyer the court should not allow Hughes to besmirch the witness’s name. He said that Hughes should show relevance because Errol Butcher is long dead.
The objection was overruled and Hughes continued to ask the witness where he was employed.
Abdulla claimed to be employed by the Government of Guyana. He was then asked if there was a specific agency to which he was attached. He replied that he was employed by the Government Information Agency (GINA).
He was then asked if he was on a contract. Again Senior counsel Bernard De Santos objected and said that the court must not allow Mr. Hughes to go on fishing trip.
And again his objection was overruled by the judge. Hughes further questioned the witness about the persons to whom he had to report. According to Abdulla he reported to “everyone”. He was then asked to list four names of persons he would report to. The witness said that he would report to Neaz Subban, Kwame McKoy, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon.
The witness was then asked about “Fascism”. Even though he did not know what the word meant, Abdulla surely knew how to spell it. He was then asked if he knew what “Fascism manifestation” meant. In his own words the witness said that it probably meant some display of dictatorial behaviour.
The matter has been adjourned to a later date, when Abdulla is expected to continue his cross examination.
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