Appeal Court grants three-month stay in Nandlall law book case
A three-month delay as a result of a stay granted by the Appeal Court, has been granted in the matter against former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, who is before the courts for the alleged fraudulent conversion of law books.
During Friday’s court hearing, Magistrate Fabayo Azore was a no-show, while Nandlall, his attorney, Everton Singh-Lammy and Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor, Patrice Henry, were present.
Nandlall’s attorney laid over to the court clerk a copy of the stay granted by the Appeal Court, which is in effect until October 1. The clerk then gave a return date of October 25, when the parties will make their next court appearance.
The charge against Nandlall alleges that between May 8, 2015 and May 29, 2015, at Georgetown, being a bailee and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, having 14 law reports valued at $2,313,853 and property of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, he fraudulently took or converted the reports to his own use and benefit.
Last December, lawyers for Nandlall moved to the High Court to have the charge thrown out, while also asking for a stay of the pending Magistrates’ Court proceedings until a decision is made.
However, Justice Dawn Gregory declined to grant an application for a stay in the proceedings against Nandlall in the Magistrates’ Court, on the ground that a single judge in chambers does not have the jurisdiction to grant such a request. The attorney later moved to the Court of Appeal in relation to the said matter and was subsequently granted the stay of proceedings.