Two months after AG threatens K/News… DPP’s still pussyfooting on decision to prosecute

Dec 18, 2014 News

– “her inaction reflects her political preference” – Dr. David Hinds

Given the inaction by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, in the matter involving Kaieteur

Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack

News and Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, a group of concerned citizens staged another demonstration outside the DPP’s office yesterday.
They were continuing to voice their disapproval at her handling of the issue.
More than a month ago, the AG was recorded issuing threats to the Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall and his staff. The issue has since been filed and is awaiting recommendation from the DPP on whether the charges will be pressed against the AG.
Among the protestors were Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall, Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram, political activist Dr. David Hinds and columnist Frederick Kissoon.
While at the demonstrations, Dr. David Hinds, recommended that the best course of action for the country is to have Ali-Hack removed from the offices of the DPP and conduct a commission of inquiry on the matter.
Hinds stressed the need for an audit of all the public offices in the country, stating that it will take a long time to “clean up the mess in the country.”
According to Hinds, this mess has compromised constitutional offices, like the DPP. They have been politicized by the government thus resulting in their ineffective dispensation of their duties.
“Governments come and go, but institutions of the state, like the DPP office should not be interfered with,” explained Hinds. “Politicians will always try to influence these offices but they are supposed to be independent and serve the people.”
He added that the DPP’s inaction “is a reflection to the extent to which her political preferences and ideologies are influencing the dispensation of justice in the country.”
This follows previous demonstrations by a former Officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Courtney Crum-Ewing, who has been calling for immediate action from the DPP to press charges against Nandlall for his disturbing threats.
During the protest, Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, voiced his concern for the example that the DPP inaction is setting for the country’s future law enforcers.
“What kind of example are they (the DPP chambers) setting for up and coming lawyers and police officers?” asked Lall, saying that Ali-Hack is causing a loss of confidence in Office of the DPP.

From right Dr. David Hinds, Frederick Kissoon, Glenn Lall, Christopher Ram and Andre Bacchus in front of the DPP Chambers (Eve Leary) yesterday.

“Her inaction towards this matter has demoralized Guyana,” said the Kaieteur News publisher, “all her actions will be viewed with a sense of dishonesty with whatever she does. I don’t think the nation can have any trust in her dispensation of justice.”
Frederick Kissoon said, “The DPP has virtually and literally damaged the image and credibility of the rule of law in the country.” He cited a number of controversial decisions Ali-Hack has made while in office.
Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram, stated that the inaction from the public official has demonstrated a lack of independence, integrity and competence in the investigations of the Attorney-General.
He described her approach to the case as being “totally unprofessional”, since she has not responded to many of his attempts of correspondence.
As a legal attorney to Kaieteur News, Ram said that he has been following up on the Nandlall file at the DPP office, but has not received any official word on the matter from Ali-Hack.
“She acted like a hare when she was dealing with (allegations against) Glenn Lall,” said Ram, “now she acting like a tortoise when dealing with (allegations against) Nandlall.”