The commission of enquiry into the 1990 coup attempt will go ahead no matter what, says Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.His comment came as questions continued to be raised about the credentials of commissioner Dr Hafizool Mohammed."If one of the commissioners has to go, it does not compromise or affect the work of the commission," Ramlogan told the T&T Guardian.
He added: "There is ample precedent on this matter.For example, in the Uff commission of enquiry, Israel Khan resigned midway and it was subsequently discovered Kenneth Sirju had a conflict of interest that was not previously discovered."It did not affect the Uff commission from delivering what was in effect, for all intents and purposes, a one-man report."
Mohammed obtained his DSc in international relations from Atlantic International University (AIU), which is described by various web sites as a diploma mill.Mohammed, who asked to be excused from the commission to seek legal advice last week, admitted to obtaining the unaccredited degree because of his age and the flexibility it offered.
Ramlogan said he was concerned about the allegations of bogus qualifications, adding that Mohammed's future on the commission would be determined by Cabinet today.He added: "If the allegations are correct, then there is no question about Mohammed's future at the commission but that is a matter for the Cabinet.
"Mohammed was selected primarily for his military experience as opposed to his academic qualifications. He provided certificates in support of the qualifications that were listed on the version of his CV and that was submitted at that point in time."He said he was still awaiting word from Mohammed's lawyer, Martin George, who had promised to provide a factual response.
"I will rather, at the risk of calling prejudice to what could be a contentious legal matter, prefer to reserve further comment until we have heard from Mohammed and his attorney," Ramlogan said.Contacted about whether Mohammed intended to resign on Wednesday, George declined to comment."At this point I cannot say anything. Have a good evening," George said, before hanging up.
Another commissioner, former independent senator Diana Mahabir-Wyatt, agreed with Ramlogan that the commission's work must go on. The commission has been sitting for two years.She added: "One person cannot stop it. This will not affect the integrity of the report. The commission is bigger than any one member and we will continue to do our work.
"We don't know how it is going to turn out yet. We have to take the AG's word for it because he is the one who appointed us. I am sure that what he was looking for was military experience."Mahabir-Wyatt said the other commissioners were all waiting to see the outcome of the matter.Leader of the Movement for Social Justice, David Abdulah, meanwhile said the other commissioners were eminently qualified and the commission's work must proceed despite the allegations.