Another two weeks for defendants in Town Clerk appointment case

Feb 26, 2014 News

By Zena Henry
Defendants in the High Court matter against the Local Government Ministry for the appointment of Town Clerk Carol Sooba were yesterday afforded another two weeks to make legal submissions supporting Sooba’s appointment since they again failed to do so by the court’s designated time.

Royston King

In December, the defence, which is represented by Attorney Sadie Amin in association with Adrian Smith, was given 14 days to file an answer showing cause as to why Chief Justice (CJ) Ian Chang should not set aside the controversial confirmation of Sooba as Town Clerk. In early January, the defendants were again given additional time; seven days to come up with a response that explained how Sooba won the senior post.
Attorney Nigel Hughes, who is representing the plaintiff, Royston King, expressed concern over an explanation not being provided for the defence’s non-compliance to the court’s first order, but a response did not materialize. Hughes was however scheduled to reply to the defence’s submissions.
Yesterday’s hearing saw the matter being adjourned since the defence was again not ready with its explanation. Attorney Keisha Chase, who is representing Carol Sooba, explained that she too made no submission following Smith’s address to the court.
The Chief Justice expressed that he no longer wishes to prolong the case and will be sending notices to all parties for a date when he will rule on the matter. The 14-day extension was however granted and the CJ said that during this period, he will commence his summing up of the case.
Lawyers for the defendants were supposed to make their submissions on the case yesterday. The

Town Clerk Carol Sooba

defence would have presented arguments while the plaintiff said it would have responded. Sooba’s lawyer would have also been able to bring her (Town Clerk’s) concern to the fore.
The case which was brought on by King stemmed from what he said was the “arbitrary” appointment of Sooba to Town Clerk of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown. King, a British-trained Communications expert, is employed at the M&CC as the Public Relations Officer (PRO). He along with three other persons applied for the post of Town Clerk when the Local Government Ministry headed by Ganga Persaud at the time, had an opening for the post.
The minister had set up an interview panel of high level officials to hire the most “suitably qualified” candidate. Sooba was said to be the least qualified person for the job, but was given the post by the Local Government Minister. The chosen candidate for the post of Town Clerk was accused of withholding certain information from the interview panel and disqualified; but King, who ranked as the second most suitably qualified candidate was still not placed in the position. King expressed his disgust with the situation and decided to challenge the decision in court.
Ganga Persaud has since resigned as Local Government Minister claiming personal reasons.