The surreptitious removal of Yonette Cummings-Edwards

Oct 28, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

The Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton, as per Constitution of Guyana, stood in agreement with the position of President Irfaan Ali as stated in the letter dated 10th July 2025 by Gail Teixeira, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, referencing Article 127(2) of the Constitution:

“If the office of Chancellor or Chief Justice is vacant or if the person holding the office of Chancellor is performing the functions of office of President or is for any other reason unable to perform the functions of his or her office, or if the person holding the office of Chief Justice is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his or her office, then, until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of such office or until the person holding such office has resumed those functions, as the case may be, those functions shall be performed by such other of the Judges as shall be appointed by the President after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.”

Acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards and acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire were appointed to act in the respective position in March 2017 by President David Granger, after consultation with then Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo.

It was disappointing to learn the agreement between Norton and Ali led to the surreptitious removal of Yonette Cummings-Edwards from her acting appointment as chancellor. Her office has since been filled by Roxane George-Wiltshire acting in the capacity. It is evident that the creation of this musical chair arrangement was about making room for Singh to occupy the vacant position created by George-Wiltshire.

At the moment when judiciary is facing its most crucial test regarding ethics and decency and the country is bogged down by efforts to undermine the rule of law, both should have stood and reminded the government of the importance of adherence to Article 127(2), stated in letter dated 10th July 2025 (as referenced above). This action of musical chairs tarnishes the integrity of our judicial branch and the executive, leaving the ordinary man and woman with concerns regarding fair, transparent and independent adjudication in the courts of Guyana. This simple action has eroded the confidence and hope that any person, particularly supporters of the Opposition and independent of the government, can have faith in the judicial system.

Guyanese only have to look a few nautical miles away to see the results when the executive seeks to manipulate the judiciary and compromise the separation of power.

Appointment through injustice is corruption of the judiciary. How does the regime, the newly acting chancellor and chief justice expect the vulnerable and law abiding in society to feel that someone who is appointed through injustice will willingly uphold justice?

While the Opposition Leader reiterated Cummings-Edwards should have returned to her position based on agreement and understanding of the exchange between him and the president, society expected more from him. Once again society was left disappointed.

Having returned to work and being treated as an undesirable for the office she held for years by the removal of Singh, whether by his own violation or in cahoots with the regime, has led to Cummings-Edwards going on early retirement. Society needs to hear the voices from credible legal authority and independent sources addressing these matters of public concern.

The Irfaan Ali government is called on to backdate Cummings-Edwards’ appointment as Chancellor so she can receive appropriate benefits for the office she held and served faithfully – without complaints and disrepute – over the years but was denied the opportunity to occupy with full title recognition. The Opposition must also demand this.

What has happened to Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, at the highest level in office, is an eye opener for every worker and potential worker. It is another sad day for the judicial system and Guyana.

Lincoln Lewis

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