Panday lawsuit adjourned to April 12

A judicial review lawsuit challenging the acquital of former prime minister Basdeo Panday for failing to declare a London bank account to the Integrity Commission has been adjourned to April 12. The matter came up yesterday before Justice James Aboud in the Port-of-Spain High Court.

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions filed the lawsuit after Panday was acquitted by Magistrate Marcia Murray in the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court on June 26, last year. Aboud granted leave for the lawsuit in September, last year. Panday, who is not listed as an interested party in the matter, was not present in court for yesterday’s hearing. However, his daughter Mickela, who is attorney, was present.  

The acquittal came 11 years after Panday was charged under the Integrity in Public Life Act with failing to declare the assets of a London-based bank account to the Integrity Commission for three consecutive years-1997, 1998 and 1999. In March 2006, Panday was found guilty and sentenced by former Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls to two years in prison.

The DPP’s office is bing represented by Ian Benjamin, while Avory Sinanan, SC, and Larry Lalla are representing the State.