DPP defends against challenge to her professionalism

Mar 03, 2015 News

Once again, Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack has been moved to defend the integrity of her office, against criticism from political circles.

DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack

Yesterday, the DPP made it clear that all matters that come before her are dealt with in a professional manner.
Ms. Ali-Hack was referring directly to a published article titled ‘Pointless pursuing criminal proceedings against Finance Minister now – Basil Williams…”lt is obvious that the DPP would intervene”. This report was carried in the Saturday February 28, 2015 edition of the Kaieteur News.
In the article, executive member of A Partnership for National Unity, Basil Williams, purported that “Shalimar Ali-Hack has indicated that she was not interested in Ramjattan’s matter…”
The APNU Shadow Minister for Legal Affairs was speaking to the recent court ruling by Chief Justice Ian Chang regarding the “illegal” spending of billions of dollars by Finance Minister Ashni Singh, without parliamentary approval.
In a statement issued yesterday, the DPP stated categorically that she never indicated that she was not interested in Ramjattan’s matter.
“All files that come to the DPP Chambers receive professional advice based on the facts available in the files and the

APNU’s Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

prevailing Law. The DPP emphatically states that she does not have to be interested in any files that come to the Chambers, since all files are dealt with in a professional manner,” the statement from the DPP chambers noted.
Williams said, last Saturday, that while the court ruled that Government’s spending of billions of dollars of taxpayers’ monies which were disapproved by the National Assembly was unconstitutional, it would more than likely be futile trying to pursue criminal proceedings against the defaulters at this point.
When asked to explain the way forward to hold those responsible accountable, and to recover the said sums, Williams, an attorney at law, admitted that indeed action could be taken against the Finance Minister.
He added, “You couldn’t breach the Constitution by spending the people’s monies and not be subject to a charge. And we at all times before the Chief Justice said that the possible charge is misfeasance in public office.”
However, he emphasized that APNU does have a plan but “we don’t control the relevant state apparatus to deal with that. I think even Sir Fenton Ramsahoye Q.C, spoke to that. The question of enforcing would be in the hands or domain of the government, because as you know, all criminal prosecutions are under the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).”
The Parliamentarian reminded that Leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, had filed a complaint with the Guyana Police Force against the Finance Minister over what was deemed at the time, the “alleged illegal spending” of some $4.5B from the National Treasury. But that matter, however, died a natural death.
“You saw what happened with that (Ramjattan’s case)… It is obvious. The conclusion is that we have to win the elections.”

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