US$18M signing bonus AG granted extension to file response

Mar 14, 2018 News

Attorney General, Basil Williams

Attorney General, (AG) Basil Williams S.C has been granted an extension of time to file an affidavit in response to the action which brought against the State to force the transfer of the US $18 M signing bonus into the consolidated fund.
The matter came up for hearing before Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire. During an in-chamber hearing the Chief Justice granted the AG time to file the response based on a request presented to the Court. Williams was granted until March 20, next to file his response.
The Judge also gave a timeline for which lawyers from the opposing side can file a reply to the AG.
In this regard, lawyers representing the Law Chambers of Nandlall and Associates were given until March 26, 2018 to file their arguments.
Both parties were also instructed to file their written submissions on or before April 20, 2018. According to the Court’s timetable, all documents are expected to be filed by May 11, 2018. The matter will then be heard on June 14, 2018 for further arguments or decision in the matter.
The litigation to force the transfer of the US$18M signing bonus into the Consolidated Fund was brought against the APNU+AFC Government by former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall..
Nandlall is seeking a declaration from the court that the deposit of US$18M received from ExxonMobil as a Signature Bonus, into an account within the Bank of Guyana, designated in writing by the Minister of Finance and not in the Consolidated Fund, is contrary to and in violation of the spirit of Article 216 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Section 38 (i) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Chapter 73:02, Laws of Guyana and is accordingly, unconstitutional, unlawful and illegal.
Nandlall also wants an order directing the Minister of Finance to “forthwith” transfer and deposit into the Consolidated Fund, the said US$18M. The grounds of the application are that Nandlall is the former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and that he is a Member of Parliament.
This is second court action filed over the $18 M signing bonus the State acquired as a result of its dealing with the international oil giant. Previous efforts were made by Transparency Initiative Guyana Inc. (TIGI).

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