Former AG Nandlall slapped with larceny charge

Former Attorney General and People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall was arrested and charged with larceny in connection with 15 LexisNexis Law Reports Of The Commonwealth that were bought by the State for Nandlall’s own use.

Nandlall was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts by SOCU agents and as he stood in the prisoner’s dock the charge, Larceny by Bailee, was read to him by Magistrate Fabayo Azore, to which he was not required to enter a plea because of the indictable nature of the offence. In his application for bail, Nandlall’s Attorney Glenn Hanoman said that his client is a well-known public figure and is a former Attorney General, and poses no flight risk. Hanoman asked that Nandlall be placed on self-bail, since it would have been difficult for his client to acquire a substantial amount of cash at that time if it were needed. Prosecutor Patrice Henry did not object to bail and Nandlall was released on self-bail and is to return to court on May 9.Earlier Nandlall was brought to the court in the custody of SOCU, but was returned to that entity after Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and Magistrate Fabayo Azore refused to hear the matter, as both legal officials indicated that they were not in possession of the case file. In court five, Nandlall’s lawyer was up in arms after Magistrate Azore was unwavering in her position of not hearing the case. There was a ‘testy’ exchange between the magistrate and Hanoman, who said that the law dictates that a matter be heard once a magistrate was available. Magistrate Azore said that she had an appointment, and in fact she had only one case at the time, and Nandlall’s was not it. The court was adjourned and after much intervention by the battery of lawyers that represented the accused, the matter was heard by Magistrate Azore. On resumption of the case, she reprimanded Hanoman for cross-talking to her in the courtroom. She informed him that in her court such would not be allowed to happen, and for his part, Hanoman apologized to the magistrate. Addressing the large media contingent that was in the court environs after his release, Nandlall said that the charge is politically motivated and that it was his constant criticisms of the sitting Attorney General Basil Williams, SC, that has landed him in hot water. (Kaieteurnews.com)