Is Justice Haniff Awarding VP Jagdeo $4M in Cost for his Bad Behaviour?

Jun 02, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

In an article published in the Kaieteur News on May 30, 2025, and titled ‘Judge imposes over $4M on Cathy Hughes in Jagdeo ‘low life’ case. I am writing to express my deep concern in relation to the decision by Justice Priscilla Chandra Haniff to impose over $4M on Cathy Hughes, a Member of Parliament (MP) and the plaintiff in a matter of libel brought against Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Second Vice President in this matter.

In this matter, Mrs. Hughes sued Mr. Jagdeo for more than GY$50 million for calling her a “low-life”, at a news conference on November 23, 2023. The article stated that ‘The court subsequently dismissed the case and awarded costs in favour of Jagdeo in the sum of $4,099,999.00. The cost was imposed on Hughes by Justice Priscilla Chandra Haniff at the Georgetown High Court.’ The article further stated that “In the written ruling, Justice Hanif expressed the view that the description of Catherine Hughes MP as a “low-life” in the following terms, ‘The Court has concluded that the comment made by the defendant was fair and reasonable.’” WHAT!? The Second Vice President, calling a Member of Parliament, and a female Member of Parliament a “low-life”, at a press conference is reasonable? It is not reasonable! This is not a case where the Second Vice President was talking to someone on the telephone and the person recorded him and leaked the audio to the public. This is Mr. Jagdeo, as Second Vice President (VP) of this country, sitting at a press conference and calling someone a “low life”.

I have worked at very senior levels in communications for local and international organisations and based on my professional knowledge, this kind of communication at a press conference is not reasonable. It is not reasonable for the Second Vice President to be calling any MP whether it be female or male or anyone a low-life at his press conference. I could have accepted, if perhaps, the Judge had found that the libel case was bad in law but that it was morally wrong for the VP to have descended into such inexcusable vernacular at a press conference. The VP has become unhinged at his press conferences and this award of 4$M will further embolden him. The Second Vice President must be held to a higher standard than that of the ordinary citizen.

Additionally, the award of $4M to Mr. Jagdeo for his bad behaviour flies in the face of women Guyana who are every day subjected to abuse whether it be in music, or otherwise. The music in public transportation and public spaces and places express some of the vilest things about women. Just recently, several women were killed by their spouses or family members in various parts of the country. This decision does not augur well for the fight against gender-based violence and fostering basic respect for our women.

The article further stated ‘In a brief statement, Mr. Hughes, who is the husband of the Opposition MP, noted that the sum is the highest award ever given to a plaintiff in a High Court matter. He said that, as such, the matter will be the subject of an appeal’. If our women will be faced with having to pay a $4M in costs for simply seeking some form of redress for abusive behaviour, whether it be verbal or otherwise, then they may be hesitant to approach the courts. In my view the Judge is sending a signal to the general public and women not to waste the courts time by bringing these matters before the courts. This could be an infringement on the rights of citizens to seek justice, whether subtly or otherwise.

As a Guyanese and a woman, this decision is extremely alarming. It seems like the Judge is rewarding Mr. Jagdeo for using abusive language by describing the MP as a “low-life” at one of his press conferences. Is Justice Haniff awarding the Second Vice President $4M for his bad behaviour?

To further express our outrage against this decision by Justice Haniff for imposing $4M on Cathy Hughes in favour of Jagdeo for simply seeking some form of redress in the courts for abusive behaviour, we are organizing a advocacy event on Tuesday June 3, 2025, from 11:00 –13:00 hours, outside of the High Court on Charlotte Street, Georgetown, between King Street and Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown. Members of the public are invited. Women are also invited to come out and support.

Sincerely,

Citizen Audreyanna Thomas

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