President David Granger this morning stood by his nominations for the posts of Chancellor and Chief Justice and invited Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to review the nominees.
Jagdeo has rejected the nominations of Chief Justice of Belize, Kenneth Benjamin for the position of Chancellor of the Judiciary and Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards as the Chief Justice.
Since Jagdeo’s rejection on February 7, 2018, President Granger has not made contact with the Opposition Leader to charter a way forward.
“I made certain concrete proposals. I went through the constitutional process which I was obliged to make certain recommendations to the Leader of the Opposition and he did not agree to the recommendations, so that’s where we are.
“But life goes on and I need to ensure that the judiciary functions without interference.
“It is up to him. I’ve made my proposals; they’re still on the table if he wants to review that – those proposals – It’s up to him,” the Head of State told reporters at State House.
Even though the President has nominated Justice Benjamin to be the Chancellor, the country’s judges and lawyers support a proposition by the Guyana Bar Association that Justice Yonette Commings-Edwards be confirmed as Chancellor of Guyana.
Justice Edwards-Cummings received a standing ovation on the proposition when she rose to speak at the opening of the Guyana Oil and Gas Law Training Development Conference being held at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel on March 9.
When asked if he shares a similar view as the Bar Association, the President said: “I don’t know which Article [of the constitution] tells me I should comply with that.”
The Constitution requires that the President has “agreement” with the Opposition Leader before making substantive appointments.
