Eight Cubans, who are seeking asylum in the United States through the United Nations office here in Trinidad, will spend the Christmas holiday period in jail after they were denied bail when they appeared before a Port-of-Spain magistrate yesterday.

The eight, Yaneisy Santana Hurtado, 37, Ramon Arbolaez Abreu, 43, Ailys Arbolaez Santana, 18, Yusnes Reyes Santana, 20, Gladys Lisandra Perez Molina, 22, Lisandra Farray Rodriquez, 29, Pedro Santana Madeo and Yuriet Pedrozo Gonzales, 30, all pleaded innocent before Magistrate Rehana Ali to the charge of wilfully obstructing the free passage of people at Chancery Lane, Port-of-Spain, where they were arrested by police on Wednesday.

The charge, under the Summary Offences Act Section 64:1(n), carries the penalty of a $200 fine or a month in jail. The eight were ordered to re-appear on January 8. The time spent on remand before their next court date is half the jail sentence for their alleged crime.

The Cubans were represented by attorneys Rajiv Persad and Christophe Rodriquez, who made no application for bail for their clients as they are non-nationals with no fixed place of abode.

Sharlene Jaggernauth, who represented the Children’s Authority, made an application to Magistrate Ali to have three Cuban children, ages nine, three and one, placed officially in the care of the authority.

Jaggernauth later withdrew her request, saying it will be filed in the High Court instead, after there was an issue with whether the legislation demanded that the children be present in court during the application. The children are currently being housed at a children’s home in Belmont.

Jonathan Soo Hon, who represented the Immigration Department, said the eight do not have detention orders against them, but there were supervision orders against Lisandra Rodriquez and Pedro Madeo. He added though that given that there were no detention orders in place, the supervision orders were effectively null and void. Ali was informed by police that the eight will also be traced by Interpol to determine if they have committed any criminal offences outside of this country.

Officers from the Child Protection Unit and Port-of -Spain CID arrested the eight and took their children on Wednesday afternoon while they were camped at Chancery Lane. The arrest came after the eight allegedly refused to relocate to the Living Waters Community for two weeks, following talks with stakeholders seeking their interest.

The arrested Cubans formed part of a group of 18, children included, who are seeking resettlement in the US and other countries as political refugees from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The overall group claimed they fled Cuba because they were persecuted for “being peaceful opponents to the totalitarian regime of the Castro brothers.” They sold all their belongings and journeyed to Trinidad and Tobago legally by sea and air hoping to make it to the US, but they first wanted to seek asylum so they won’t be deported back to Cuba.

After shooting Henry Prince dead in his car during heavy traffic yesterday, Prince's killer casually walked up John Stone Street in San Fernando and disappeared near Carib Street, close to the Grant Memorial Presbyterian School.

As it was the Christmas vacation the school was closed, but the streets were bustling with people shopping for the festive season.

A camera installed by the T&T Police Service captured the killer's face and his cool strut.

A witness who requested anonymity said Prince was sitting in his green Lancer in a driveway near ATC at John Stone Street when a single loud explosion was heard. As Prince slumped dead from a bullet to his head, people saw the man walking off. A few people rushed to Prince's aid and called the police when they saw the blood running from his body.

Investigators said Henry was known to them and had a matter before the High court. His address was also listed as Fort George, Moruga.

A team of officers led by Insp Don Gajadhar, as well as Homicide officers, responded and took Prince to the San Fernando mortuary. An autopsy will be done today.

Initially people speculated that Prince was employed by the T&T Coast Guard, but this was denied by TTCG communications officer Sherron Manswell. Police have since launched a manhunt for the killer. Prince's family was contacted last night.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a motorcyclist was killed following an accident at the South Trunk Road, San Fernando, yesterday.

His identity has not been confirmed. Details of the accident were unclear, but police said the motorcyclist was found on the road while his bike was found close a nearby tree. The bike, licensed PBT 2231, was registered under the name Billy Lalla of Penal Rock Road.

A soldier who was detained at Sangre Grande Police Station after he allegedly shot two people, including a two-year-old girl, appeared in court yesterday charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Police said this is because no charge has yet been laid for the accidental shooting death of the child, Soriah Martin, as investigating officers are waiting on instructions from the Director of Public Prosecution.

Keros Martin, 29, of Jacelon Trace, Vega de Oropouche, Toco, appeared before Senior Magistrate Debra Quintyne in the Sangre Grande First Magistrate Court.

The charge was laid by Insp Ken Lutchman of the Crime Investigation Department, Sangre Grande.

Martin was represented by attorney Don Lezama, who pleaded with Quintyne to grant bail for his client on grounds he has a clean police record and it was his first criminal offence, which was accepted.

Quintyne read the charge that on December 12 Martin allegedly shot Gregory Harracksingh at his Sangre Grande home, wounding him on his right arm.

The 29 -year-old, who is a Lance Corporal with T&T Defence Force with 12 years service and was last attached to the Special Forces at Teteron Barrracks, Chaguaramas, was not called upon to plead as the charge was laid indictably.

Martin was later granted $75,000 bail on condition he must not have any conversation with the victim, stay a quarter mile from the victim and must surrender his passport.

The matter was adjourned to January 4, 2018.

Martin’s mother and Lieutenant Wiggins of T&T Defence Force. were present in court.

RALPH BANWARIE

Over seven years ago, the Murrell family, of Paradise Heights, Morvant, was severely traumatised after one of their relatives was killed by gunmen who stormed into their apartment while they were asleep.

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) relocated the family to Cleaver Heights in Arima, but the unit offered was too small to reasonably accommodate the entire family. There were also electrical and water issues.

As a result, Elizabeth Cassey-Murrell, now, 64, and her daughter, Chrisandra, now, 36, along with the rest of the family remained at Paradise Heights although the keys for Cleaver Heights unit was handed over to Cassey-Murrell in 2011.

Speaking to the T&T Guardian, Murrell (Chrisandra) explained that HDC officials were fully aware there were issues with the electricity and water and knew they were still at Paradise Heights in the interim until the issues were rectified. All the issues were finally resolved in 2014.

But now, just days before Christmas 2017, the family has been served an eviction notice by the HDC to move out of the Paradise Heights apartment they have now been occupying for the past 34 years by December 21.

The notice came as a shock for the family. But there is a twist to the story.

“My sister, Karlene Cassey, began paying the fee of $1,000 every month for Cleaver Heights after they handed over the keys to my mother in 2011…but not until 2014 that they fixed the lights and water and that’s when my sister decided to move in with her three kids because my mother and the rest of us were still at Paradise and paying for there too,” Murrell (C) said. She further explained that HDC officials knew they were occupying both apartments up until this year.

“When my sister paid off for Cleaver Heights my mummy told HDC that she is no longer interested in Cleaver Heights and wanted her name relinquished from there and would like her daughter instead to be considered as an applicant, since she paid off for there and we still paying for Paradise Heights.

“That was when they made my mother swear an affidavit and told us to bring in documents, which we did. We went in to them a few times and did everything they asked us to do,” Murrell said.

Laventille East/Morvant MP Adrian Leonce has even since lobbied on behalf of the Murrell family.

In a letter dated December 12, 2017, to HDC managing director Brent Lyons, Leonce said Murrell sought his assistance after the HDC began refusing to take payment for the Paradise Heights apartment then served the family with the eviction notice. That letter was copied to Siama Funrose, HDC’s Manager, Mortgage and Rental Administration.

Councillor Franz Lambkin also wrote to Lyons on December 8, begging for good judgement.

“In the seasonal spirit of goodwill, I implore your good judgment and mercy.”

Contacted for comment on the issue, Lyons said the HDC will extend the eviction notice by two weeks since they had launched an extensive investigation into the case. He admitted there were unanswered questions that needed clarification.

In response to Lyons’ move, Murrell told the T&T Guardian they wanted results.

“We do not want the extension but we want a result ,because the HDC knew everything about us occupying both places and the reasons. They told us nothing otherwise. We continued to pay for both apartments,” Murrell said.

“My sister kept going in to them, including my mummy, up until this year. Now, without warning, we got this eviction notice and all we want now is a result,” she added.

Tragic history to case

On July 14, 2010, Murrell’s sister, Carolyn, 23, was fatally shot while hiding under a table.

She was the daughter of a police constable assigned to North-Eastern Division. According to a police report, at about 12.25 am, relatives were sitting in the living room when three men dressed in black and armed with firearms stormed their apartment and started shooting. Carolyn attempted to hide, but was shot several times.

Her other relatives ran into the bedroom and hid. The gunmen then fled the scene.

Living in squalor since the death of her husband, widow Seema Ramsaroop and her children can finally see a ray of hope.

This after a couple from Penal promised to build them a new home early next year.

Ramsaroop, whose plight was highlighted twice by the T&T Guardian this year, said yesterday she was praying the promise materialises.

“They took photos and I showed them a piece of land which my mother gave to me. They promised to build a home for us but they said maybe in January or February,” Ramsaroop said.

The family has also applied to Habitat for Humanity for consideration, in the hope the organisation will lend assistance.

Ramsaroop, whose life has been one of misery and hardship, said all she wanted was peace and happiness. She said her 10-year-old daughter has been granted enrolment at the Princes Town RC School, which is walking distance from their home, but her sons Daniel, 21 and Sudi, 19, are still unemployed.

“We plant some dasheen, eddoes, seasoning, pepper and tomatoes so at least we will have food, but if my sons could get work this will be really good,” Ramsaroop added.

She said her husband, who died from diabetes, taught the boys landscaping before his death. Saying she was still owing money having borrowed to buy books for her daughter, Ramsaroop said she was thankful for any assistance.

However, she said some people have been making a mockery of her life.

“A woman called me to ask why I make so much children. I couldn’t deal with those kinds of insults so I blocked her. I was 15 years when I got involved with my husband, who was 33 and he beat me up to when he died,” Ramsaroop recalled.

She also said a man claiming to be a pensioner called her to say he had a young wife but was willing to throw her out and mind Ramsaroop and her children.

“I also blocked him. I can’t deal with those kinds of calls,” Ramsaroop added.

Saying her life should not be judged by others, Ramsaroop said she never imagined being thrown out of her marital home and being forced to live in a shed fit for animals.

“In life bad things happen. All we can do is try our best to make it for the sake of the children,” Ramsaroop said.

Ramsaroop’s life took a turn for the worst last February when her husband died.

Days after the funeral, she was told she had to leave their house. In June, Ramsaroop, her children, aged three to 21, twin grandsons, age two and daughter-in-law, 23, were evicted and their house destroyed.

Their broken furniture and other belongings were dumped outside Ramsaroop’s mother’s house, but with nowhere to store it and several days of persistent rain, everything was destroyed.

From living with pipe-borne water, electricity and a roof over their heads, the family started living in a shack with no proper toilets, no electricity and no furniture.

Anyone wanting to assist Ramsaroop can contact her at 492-1248 or 376-8549.

It was a game of hide and seek yesterday between vendors and the police on Frederick Street in Port-of-Spain.

As some vendors hastily placed tables, toys and other goods for sale on make-shift tables in an attempt to earn a dollar, police swooped down on them.

Several vendors said they pleaded with the police not to remove their tables with their goods.

As the vendors placed their tables with toys, clothing, handbags, watches, vegetables and fruits on each corner. they were quickly told by the police to remove the merchandise.

“The inspector now pass and tell me to leave. When he pass back he see me packing out goods. I ask him to give me a bligh, he say pack up.... I going home,” said one of the vendors.

Several other female vendors sat on their tables waiting for the police to leave the area.

“How they want people to eat? How they want people to drink? They suppose to give us time. Trust in God,” two other vendors said as they smiled.

While most of the vendors complained of poor sales, many shoppers said prices were high.

“Nah, nah, not much shopping at all and I not buying much groceries,” said one woman who refused to give her name.

Another woman said it was the first and last day she would be shopping for the season.

“That is it. Things hard and you need to save for next year. It going to be harder,” she said.

Customer service representatives at Town Centre Mall said business was very slow.

“It is very slow, nobody in the store,” said one woman who waved her hands saying : “ We have clothes selling for as low as $20 and accessories for $10.”

However, a sales representative at Adronteck said sales were “happening.”

PS4, PS3, the unlimited version gold console and control, toys, smart watches were on sale.

“The toys more selling,” he said.

In the past few days, vending has been scarce on the streets of Port-of-Spain to San Juan.

Members of the Charlotte Street Vendors Association protested against the decision made by the Port-of-Spain City Corporation which did not allow vending on all the days leading up to Christmas.

When a T&T Guardian news team visited San Juan, no vendors were visible on the side walks as in the past few years.

Several store owners placed their goods on make-shift tables near their shops.

Several single mothers of Sangre Grande were recipients of Christmas Hampers donated by Community Police Officers attached to Eastern Division yesterday.

The mothers all received boxes of groceries, which included a ham. The love caring and sharing ceremony was held at the Community Policing Office in the Eastern Division.

Head of the division acting Senior Supt Garth Nelson said he was very happy to see that his community police officers used their initiative and decided on this drive in giving to the needy mothers.

He said police were not only to serve and protect but to share and give their love to those in need.

He also commended all the police officers who were involved in the initiative. He said projects like these will give back some respect to the police, as people will realised that the duty of the police is not only based on arresting people , but interacting and communicating and sharing some love with them especially in time of need.

Pressure is mounting on Chief Justice Ivor Archie to speak out on allegations being made against him.

A High Court judge has written to him saying he cannot stand by and remain silent about “the most significant threat to our institution in a very long time.”

“All is not well on Knox Street,” Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh said in an email dated December 15 to Archie, Justice Carol Gobin and judges of the Appeal Court and High Court.

A copy of the email has been obtained by Guardian Media. In it, Boodoosingh wrote that the Judiciary’s role in a democracy is bigger than any judge individually and collectively. When grave allegations are made, he said “we cannot just sit back and feel they will go away; that it could be business as usual.”

Boodoosingh said the Judiciary had been in continuous public focus and in recent months information was being made public with allegations that get more shocking.

He said like most judges, he had tried staying steadfast to his judicial oath to attend court, decide cases, contribute to the judiciary and “carry on with business as usual.” However, he warned that ten years from now “when the consequences of what we do now are still being felt, I will not stand accused of having been part of the Judiciary and remained silent on the most significant threat to our institution in a very long time.”

The serious allegations levelled against Archie include that he spoke to judges about changing their state security to private security and sought the intervention of the HDC to secure housing for a number of people. Archie has denied the former allegation but has admitted to seeking to get housing for individuals he deemed to be in need of such.

Boodoosingh referred to guidelines for judicial conduct which state that judges must not ask favours of others and must be “beholden to no one, only to our consciences and our judicial oath.” He said while they may have views on politics, social and moral issues, they have to be circumspect in who they express those views to and in what setting.

“There are permissible areas for public engagement,” he said.

He added that judges must be careful about the friends they keep, even in the legal fraternity and reserved in “what we do, where we go and who we go with.”

“Judges must uphold the law. We have to avoid circumstances that may open us to even unfounded accusations,” he said

He said while everyone is human with human needs and failings and will err, when that conduct has the potential to “undermine the functions we perform, shake judicial independence and the separation of powers, reduce public confidence in the Judiciary, open us up to blackmail or worse, we have to say something.”

Boodoosingh said had there been a meeting of judges, he would have had an opportunity to express his views. Noting that the Judiciary “will benefit from light being shone on what we do,” he said if he is labelled as being part of a clique, he will “take it in stride, because I know my conscience is clear and I sleep well at night.”

The gloves are off - on all sides.

Attorney for A&V Oil and Gas CEO Hannif Nazim Baksh, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj SC, is challenging a decision by state-owned Petrotrin yesterday to terminate the contract of the lease operator.

After Petrotrin announced it had given the operator notice of termination of contract, Maharaj said he’d written to Petrotrin demanding a response by January 2, 2018.

“If none is forthcoming, we have the option to go to court for an injunction to block their termination decision. A breach of contract can result in Petrotrin paying over $1 billion in damages,” Maharaj added.

Petrotrin’s termination and Maharaj’s reaction are the latest developments in the company’s alleged “fake oil” matter which arose several months ago.

An August Petrotrin audit report had alleged volume discrepancies occurred between oil production and actual receipts. An employee and lease operator fell under scrutiny, after it was alleged the state-owned company overpaid $80 million for oil which wasn’t supplied.

Petrotrin’s board subsequently commissioned external forensic audits by Kroll Consulting of Canada and global oil and gas consultants Gaffney Cline, which confirmed the internal findings.

After that, Petrotrin employee Vidya Deokiesingh - the ruling People’s National Movement’s general election candidate for Siparia - was placed under disciplinary proceedings two weeks ago.

Further action continued rolling yesterday, when Petrotrin’s board announced - via statement - that the company has given notice of the termination of contract to the lease operator “associated with the discrepancies in reported oil production and actual receipts” revealed by its Internal Audit Department. Petrotrin noted its Audit Department’s findings were confirmed by Kroll Consulting.

The statement added, “Another report, from global oil and gas consultants Gaffney Cline, had also advised that the reservoir from which the oil had been produced was incapable of yielding the reported volumes. Petrotrin gave written notice of termination to the lease operator this week after it communicated its findings to the operator and gave it an opportunity to respond.”

Petrotrin chairman Wilfred Espinet said while some commentators have expressed concern at the rate of Petrotrin’s progress in the matter, it was critical the board act only after careful consideration of all relevant matters, including the response of the lease operator to the findings.

“Adherence to process is the most important component of this exercise. We’re being guided by expert counsel, and are committed to ensuring that we do things in accordance with proper procedure,” Espinet added.

However, Maharaj said his firm - which had up to yesterday to respond to the termination notice - wrote to Petrotrin indicating the company’s decision was not being accepted.

“That is because they have no legal or factual basis for termination of the contract, as they haven’t produced any evidence to show A&V was involved in any wrong-doing in the supply of oil. They’ve also breached the contract by not acting in good faith, since they have refused to give us a copy of the Kroll and Gaffney Cline reports on which they based their decision,” Maharaj added.

Maharaj said his company had now triggered the dispute resolution mechanism which requires Petrotrin to meet him to further discuss the matter on January 2 at Petrotrin headquarters.

“We indicated to them all of this is without prejudice to our right to contend and we’re entitled to get an injunction from the High Court against them to restrain them from acting on their decision to terminate the contract,” Maharaj said.

“We indicated their decision is in violation of good faith and natural justice and we asked them - under the contract - to comply with the requirements of conciliation and mediation. If they don’t, we’re entitled to go to court to compel them to obey under the terms of the contract.”

Maharaj said his client is also demanding the money which Petrotrin owes A&V for supply of oil from August - when the audit report was done - to date.

“That is to the tune of $70 million. A breach of contract can a result in Petrotrin paying over $1 billion in damages because the investment of our client was almost $1 billion.”

AG must follow money now - Lee

Opposition whip David Lee said yesterday that Petrotrin’s decision to terminate the A&V Oil and Gas contract was vindication of Opposition statements on the matter, adding the Attorney General must now “follow the money” in the matter to recoup taxpayers’ funds involved.

“This issue is live, real and fresh, an opportune time to ‘follow the money.’ We also expect the company’s report to be sent to the appropriate legal directions for follow-up,” Lee told the T&T Guardian.

“And since Minister (Franklin) Khan said the company employee allegedly cited in the audit report was subject to disciplinary proceedings, the public should be given details of this, when it will be completed and if it has, what’s the outcome.”

Energy Minister Franklin Khan didn’t reply to calls yesterday on what action would transpire following Petrotrin’s decision to terminate the operator’s contract. But Khan recently said Petrotrin had engaged senior counsel to assist after the Kroll report, adding the matter was being pursued by Petrotrin’s board and an official report hadn’t been referred to the police. Khan also said he was awaiting outcomes and recommendations from the probes to determine what action was required of him as minister.

Police arrested two men and recovered some 17 cases of alcohol that were stolen by trickery from a supermarket on Thursday evening in Mayaro.

A TT Police Service media release said the owner of S&S Persad Supermarket, which is located along the Mayaro Main Road, reported to police that a man claiming to be a representative of an oil services company in Guayaguayare turned up at the business and purchased several cases of alcohol by cheque for the company’s Christmas dinner around 9 pm.

The alcohol was delivered to a location at New Grant, Princes Town, but supermarket employees were told the venue for the dinner had been changed. The release said the alcohol was loaded onto a flat-bed truck and driven away around 3 pm.

The supermarket owner reportedly became suspicious and held a conversation with the owners of the oil service company allegedly involved in the purchase before he made a report to the police.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Surajdeen Persad immediately notified Eastern Division ASP Bhojnarine Kanhai and a party of officers responded.

The bottles of champagne and scotch were later seized from a warehouse in Enterprise, Chaguanas. A 58-year-old owner of the warehouse and a 53-year-old truck driver from Laventille were held.

The release said due to the quick response by the police, most of the alcohol was recovered from the warehouse. However, the police are still searching for the man who initially made the purchase.

UN resident coordinator for T&T Richard Blewitt says he is working closely with T&T to address refugee challenges, noting access to the basic services needed to support a life with dignity remains a challenge for many asylum-seekers in the country.

Blewitt’s comments yesterday came two days after eight Cubans, who are seeking asylum in the United States through the UN in T&T, were arrested by police at Chancery Lane, Port-of-Spain, for loitering after they began living on the street. Three children with them were also put in the care of the Child Protection Unit.

The Cubans, who appeared before a Port-of-Spain magistrate on Thursday, will spend Christmas in jail as they have been remanded in custody and will re-appear in court on January 8.

In a press release, however, Blewitt said T&T’s position as a leader in the Caribbean has been demonstrated through its commitment to creating a system of refugee protection.

The UN, Blewitt said, has recognised T&T’s commitment in its creation of the Refugee Policy in 2014, which was the first step toward the development of a national asylum system. The policy sets out a three-phased process to develop a national asylum system, which, in its implementation, will acknowledge and support basic human rights of asylum seekers and recognise refugees as indicated in the UN Refugee Convention.

Although the Government, with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is progressing with the implementation of the policy, Blewitt said such basic services needed “to support a life with dignity remains a challenge for many asylum-seekers in T&T.” He admitted that the UN has recognised the frustration at the limited range of solutions available to refugees and asylum-seekers that have been expressed in the demonstration outside the UN House during the past several months.

“Accordingly, legislation must also be introduced that would codify the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers, establish their legal status and clarify the options available to them,” Blewitt pointed out.

Such implementation of an asylum-system and its supporting legislation will provide opportunities for refugees to integrate and contribute productively to T&T’s society through the provision of legal documentation and access to work, education and health services, Blewitt said.

Until the necessary legislation is passed, Blewitt said the UNHCR will continue to work with its partners and the Government to develop interim solutions for refugees and asylum-seekers here, as the Caribbean is not immune to the refugee crisis occurring in the rest of the world.

Three names have been put forward in the race to become the sixth President of T&T and already political analysts, social activists and attorneys have expressed support and opposition for those being bandies about as possible candidates.

The People’s National Movement (PNM), which has the majority vote, has expressed faith in retired Justice Rolston Nelson, who was hired by Angostura Holdings Ltd (AHL) to investigate a sexual harassment claim against its chairman, Dr Rolph Balgobin. The UNC has recommended ex-diplomat Reginald Dumas and former chairman of the Integrity Commission Justice Gladys Gafoor as their picks for President.

In an interview yesterday, political commentator Dr Winford James said he found it interesting the PNM had recommended Nelson due to his role in the Angostura sexual harassment issue, which James said was a conflict of interest.

Nelson had been criticised by former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj for not hearing “the sworn evidence of Balgobin and for writing a report without the benefit of hearing Balgobin be cross-examined by the attorneys of the employee who made the sexual harassment allegations.”

However, James said,” Rolston Nelson is regarded as a good legal mind; a man who understands jurisprudence and who has a strong intellect, but he has not had a record of commenting on social issues.”

Saying Nelson was well regarded among his peers, James said all previous presidents with the exception of George Maxwell Richards were from the Judiciary.

“If the PNM wants to honour that tradition, Rolston would be the obvious pick,” James said.

However, he said the best person for the job was undoubtedly Reginald Dumas, who has been speaking out on social issues with objectivity and facts.

“Dumas is never personal and he uses facts and reason. Gladys Gafoor is also a good pick, but she has not been commenting publicly on social issues as Dumas,” he added.

Political analyst Dr Maukesh Basdeo said he could not choose who was the best candidate, as all three were esteemed in their own right. However, he said the Government has a majority say so Nelson will undoubtedly be the choice for President unless the PNM had a split in votes, which was highly unlikely.

“Two are former members of the Judiciary. Reginald Dumas had an excellent career as a diplomat and all three can perform the function of president,” Basdeo said.

Asked whether the Angostura issue would have any bearing on the election of the President, Basdeo responded, “Seeing that the Prime Minister has gone forward with Nelson’s name for President, it is clear that did not factor in the nomination.”

Social activist and president of Fixin T&T Kirk Waite said yesterday he did not want to comment on the PNM’s choice for President.

“All I am willing to say is Justice Nelson should make his report public, because his argument when people were calling for it to be public was that there was condition of anonymity with the whistle-blower, but that argument is now out the window. If he makes his Angostura report public we will have a better idea of who Nelson is and what he represents,” Waite said.

Meanwhile attorney Subhas Panday said it was sad the Opposition and Government could not agree on a common candidate.

“I think at the end of the day it will be the Parliament that will choose the President, so the PNM will get their wishes and Nelson will be President,” Panday said.

But he added that the President should not be seen as a PNM president.

“When you have an election for president it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, but that is the adversarial system we inherited from Britain which divides our country, because people will say Nelson is a PNM president,” he said, adding the new President must try to bring the country together.

Political analyst Dr Hamid Ghany refused to share his thoughts on the candidacy, saying he knew all three candidates well and didn’t want to comment.

His colleague Indera Sagewan-Alli said because the PNM had the majority say in Parliament, it was evident Nelson will be the president if he was their choice. She said all three candidates had distinguished themselves in their respective fields.

The United National Congress will have concerns if the Government indeed picks retired Justice Rolston Nelson as its choice for T&T’s sixth President, says Opposition whip David Lee.

“There’s a cloud over Nelson due to his involvement in the recent Angostura commission investigating alleged sexual harassment issues at that company,” Lee said yesterday in response to a Guardian article which gave Nelson as one of three possible candidates for the position.

MPs were on Thursday notified by the House Speaker that the Electoral College of the Parliament will meet January 19, 2018, to elect a President.

The term of current President Anthony Carmona ends March 19 and a successor must be elected between January 18 and February 19, 2018, latest.

Lee said yesterday he’d noted claims that Nelson, now Unit Trust Corporation chairman, may be a frontrunner in Government’s consideration for the post.

When the last election of a president was being held in 2013, then opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley (now Prime Minister) had said Nelson was “eminently qualified” for the post. The People’s National Movement then sought “consensus building” talks with the then People’s Partnership government on Nelson. However then attorney general Anand Ramlogan claimed Nelson had told him the PNM hadn’t consulted him on the matter.

Yesterday, PNM officials were unable to confirm that Nelson was their frontrunner. They, however, said he is a sound, stable personality.

But Lee, added, “If he’s really Government’s choice we will have concerns since he chaired the Angostura enquiry into recent sexual harassment allegations by a former employee (against company chairman Dr Rolph Balgobin). Until that’s all fully settled, I’ll have a concern.”

Lee also dismissed as “rumour” that the Opposition is considering former public service head and retired diplomat Reginald Dumas and retired High Court judge Gladys Gafoor for the post.

He said, “There’s only been rumours about those names being bandied about. We do consider those names to be as good as Mr Nelson’s but we haven’t caucused on the matter to discuss any nominee yet. We’ll meet after Christmas into the new year on the matter, but as of now we have no selection.”

A 20-year-old Valencia man was arrested by the police on Thursday evening after he was held with a firearm and several rounds of ammunition.

A TTPS media release said around 8.10 pm, officers of the Northern Division, observed a man with a knapsack on his back standing along the road way and approached him. They searched the knapsack and found one revolver and five rounds of ammunition.

The release said the suspect attempted to escape but was subsequently held.

The suspect, who is a porter of KP Lands, Valencia, was arrested.

A Barrackpore fish farmer, in whose home police allegedly found 12 guns and 2410 rounds of ammunition, will likely spend the Christmas holidays behind bars.

Nyron Goordial, 40, was denied bail when he appeared in the Siparia Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with two offences - possession of the 12 guns and assorted ammunition.

Goordial was arrested on Wednesday after Sgt Victor, Cpl George, Sgt Ali, Cpl Singh and other officers of the South Western Task Force and Penal CID executed a search warrant at his Tranquillity Avenue, Jaipaulsingh Road home, where the arsenal was allegedly discovered. The firearms consisted of six pistols, four revolvers and two rifles. He was charged by Sgt Victor.

When the charges were read by Senior Magistrate Margaret Alert Goordial was not called upon to enter a plea. He remained seated on the bench during the proceedings because of an injury to his back.

In asking for bail, Goordial’s attorney Ravi Diptee said in 2014 he was forced to resign as a supervisor with a company after four years service because of the injury, noting he had to undergo surgery for the problem. Goordial, he said, owns a talapia farm, is divorced and has no children. However, Diptee said the accused cares for his parents as his sole sibling lives in the United States.

Goordial is also extremely involved in charity work in the community and was supposed to be hosting a Christmas children treat, the lawyer said.

Objecting to bail, however, prosecutor Sgt Starr Jacob said Goordial does not have sufficient ties to the country, as he has no children or wife and there was a risk of him absconding. She also objected because of the quantum of arms and ammunition.

Sharing the prosecutor’s concerns, the magistrate said she was not convinced that if granted bail he would not be persuaded to flee. After a description of the exhibits was recorded, the magistrate transferred the matter to the Princes Town Magistrate’s Court. The prosecutor told her he was not initially taken to that court because there were no magistrates.

Alert reminded him of his right to apply to a judge in chambers before adjourning the matter to December 27.

Days before Christmas Day, T&T’s local comedians have been plunged into mourning over the passing of one of their beloved members - Peter Joseph.

Joseph, of Belmont, died yesterday morning at the St Clair Medical Hospital, Port-of-Spain.

The T&T Guardian understands Joseph suffered a heart attack. He had previously suffered from heart complications.

Joseph worked for years at ANSA McAL’s Standard Distributors Limited. He celebrated 17 years in the comedy business this year and was well-known for his stand-up skits and comedy. He was also a popular MC at some of corporate Trinidad’s major social events.

Joseph worked closely with other local comedians, including Learie Joseph and George Gonzales. Gonzales is also a radio personality with Vibe CT105FM.

Gonzales yesterday described Joseph as a “good friend” and a “man with a big heart.”

“We worked together all around the world and Peter was just seriously funny. A good man and a good comedian,” Gonzales said.

Recalling one of his fondest memories with him, Gonzales burst out laughing when he said: “In the very early years in his career, Peter and I were doing a skit on stage and he forgot his lines and in front of everyone Peter pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and read out his lines…on seeing that I said to myself that he was a madman…that’s just one of the many fondest moments.”

“He will be surely missed by all,” Gonzales added.

Gonzales said since Joseph’s passing he had been in contact with his immediate relatives who are all said to be in shock.

“This time, Christmas time, for them is not a good time to lose Peter, not saying that there is any good time but Christmas is a little worse.”

On May 10, 2015, Joseph marked his 15 years in comedy with a big Mother’s Day show titled Roadblock at the ballroom of Radisson Hotel, Port-of-Spain.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be made.

A Fyzabad man who claimed he used cocaine to treat a rare bone disease was ordered to pay fines totalling $6,250 when he pleaded guilty to 15 charges.

Curtis Knight, who has been using cocaine since he was 14 years old, pleaded guilty to all the offences when he appeared before Siparia Senior Magistrate Margaret Alert. The charges included four for possession of cocaine, three for marijuana possession, possession of a weapon, using obscene language, resisting arrest, two for assaulting a police officer, two for malicious damage and stealing vegetables from a stall. Another charge for indecent exposure was dismissed because there was no file in that matter.

The offences were committed between January 2015 and September 2017, with nine of the offences taking place in one day.

Prosecutor Sgt Starr Jacob told the court that around 4.36 pm on June 9, 2016, PC Gopaul responded to a report of a man armed with a weapon in Fyzabad and searched Knight ,who fitted the description of the suspect. They found marijuana and cocaine in his possession, but when they tried to arrest him he pulled away violently, struggled with the officers and cursed them. Knight then threw himself on the ground, taking PC Gopaul and Ramlal with him and they were injured as a result.

During the attempts to subdue him, Knight damaged PC Gopaul’s police shirt and Ramlal’s jersey. When the officers searched him again they found a knife in the waist of his pants.

Before passing sentence, the magistrate asked Knight when he would settle down, stop giving trouble and realise it makes no sense using cocaine and marijuana. Knight told her a doctor at a public hospital gave him a prescription to use cocaine to treat his illness, a rare bone disease.

“If I had a problem my hand would be shaking,” he said, holding out his hand for the magistrate to see.

Knight was reprimanded and discharged on four of the charges, but also has to pay $1,825 in compensation, failing which he will serve various jail terms, the longest of which is three months.

A 46-year-old Colombian national was denied bail on Thursday when he appeared before a Port-of-Spain magistrate charged with the sexual touching of a nine-year-old child.

A TTPS media release yesterday said Josea Alberto Mina Mazuera, of La Baja Road, St Joseph, appeared before Magistrate Aden Stroude in the Seventh Magistrate’s Court.

The release said the offence was alleged to have occurred on September 24 at the child’s Port-of-Spain home.

Bail was denied to facilitate the processing of an immigration detention order and the accused was remanded into custody. The matter was adjourned to December 29.

Mina Mazuera was charged by WPC Whitney Charles of the Child Protection Unit in Port-of-Spain Division on December 19.

The release said the Colombian has been in the country illegally since 2008.

Police discovered two hand grenades, a pistol, a revolver and 2.5 kilograms of high-grade marijuana during a search of a house in Woodbrook, on Friday, around 10 pm.

They also seized a 9mm magazine with a capacity of 100 rounds and over 400 rounds of assorted ammunition.

exercise coordinated by ACP Persad and Supt Pragg and spearheaded by ASP Micheal Sooker and Sgt Sterlyn Taylor, a search warrant was executed at a house on Dennis Mahabir Street. Other officers on the exercise included Cpl Shiraz Ali and Pc Lindon Holder and Lester Dwarika.

Investigations are continuing.

Shastri Boodan

Chaguanas Mayor Gopaul Boodhan is calling on the police to step up patrols and enforce the use of the breathalyzer over the holiday weekend. Boodhan said “Annually we have to face the horror and pain that comes with road carnage because of drinking and driving. I am appealing to the motoring public to have a designated driver and those who have to drink, please stay away from driving. I am also asking the police to step up patrols ad ensure that people are administered the breathalyzer. We want to keep drunk drivers off the roadways. The deaths lead to broken lives, broken families, children without parents, the consequences are too great when people die in road traffic accidents.”