Latest update February 20th, 2025 12:39 PM
Court case challenging Sooba’s appointment set for new date
The court case requiring acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba to give reason why she should not be removed as city secretary has
Carol Sooba
been rescheduled for June 23. The affidavit in answer to the quo warranto which was filed by lawyers for Royston King was not with the court.
In the initial ruling of Chief Justice Ian Chang, King was informed that to challenge the legitimacy of Sooba’s Town Clerk appointment, he would have to file a quo warranto. The quo warranto is a writ requiring the person to whom it is directed to show what authority they have for exercising some right or power that they claim to hold.
The court heard on Monday that the affidavit in answer was submitted Friday last. However, neither the court nor King’s lawyer was in possession of the document. Attorney Nigel Hughes is representing Royston King, while Roysdale Forde is representing Sooba.
During last year, King and three other persons applied for the post of Town Clerk when the Ministry of Local Government advertised for suitably qualified persons. According to the interviewing panel which was convened by the Local Government Ministry to facilitate the hiring process, Sooba was the least qualified and failed to walk with her academic documentation. She was however deemed most suitable by then Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud who appointed her in the official position.
King however approached the High Court to challenge the Minister’s appointment. Sooba was reduced to act in the position when the Chief Justice referred to her as the de facto Town Clerk. He said too that the Minister has no authority to appoint a Council officer.
Two other court cases have resulted from the matter since both Sooba and King have appealed the CJ’s ruling. The quo warranto was filed, while Sooba requested an order to stop City Hall from removing her from her position. These matters are ongoing.
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