Court orders Nandlall to defend alleged theft of law books

Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Friday ruled that sufficient evidence was provided by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for former Attorney General Anil Nandlall to answer to the charge that he stole $2 million in law books.

The case was prosecuted by SOCU’s Patrice Henry.

The Court determined that a prima facie case was made out against Nandlall in relation to the books he took from the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

The Magistrate called upon Nandlall to lead his defence on December 6, 2018.

Nandlall’s attorney, Glenn Hanoman told the court that former President Donald Ramotar is expected to be called as a defence witness.

On April 27, 2017, Nandlall was charged with larceny by bailee in connection with a number of law books he took from the Ministry of Legal Affairs which he said was given to him by Mr Ramotar during his tenure in office.

The former AG is alleged to have fraudulently converted 14 Commonwealth Law Reports valued at GY$2.3 million to his own use as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs.

He was released on self-bail by Magistrate Azore. Over the last two years, Nandlall has repeatedly confirmed that while he was AG the law books were purchased for him by the State with approval from former president Ramotar.

Nandlall had explained that the law books are in his possession and he has no intention of returning them to the State.

He subsequently secured an order in the High Court which bars the police from seizing the books.