Now that Jack Warner has been indicted by the US on charges of corruption, the people of T&T should not be too hasty to convict him prematurely on what could be a lengthy legal process, with extradition and subsequent trial possibly taking years to resolve.After all, due process of law is a constitutional guarantee of the United States constitution that applies not only to state governments, but also to the federal government.
Indeed, since the charges against Fifa officials were brought by the US Department of Justice, with an FBI involvement, this makes it a federal government indictment.
The problems for Warner are three-fold: first, there is the trial that could take years; second, what happens to his political organisation, the Independent Liberal Party (ILP), of which he is the leader, while he fights these allegations–would he be allowed to leave the US during the trial to contest the upcoming general elections?
Third, would his political and financial empire crumble during his absence?In the ongoing libel trial brought against him, Warner was asked whether he suddenly became Saint Jack now that he was not in the Cabinet; and there are those who accuse Fifa of being like the Mafia.So the question that the country wants to know is: Who is Jack Warner, sinner, saint, or Don?
Rex Chookolingo
Maraval