Charges against Nandlall over lawbooks dropped

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack has withdrawn the simple larceny charge against Attorney General Anil Nandlall over the Commonwealth Law Reports he was accused to stealing by the previous APNU+AFC administration.

On Friday, October 16, the charges were discontinued by trial Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts following the directions sent to her in a letter by the DPP.

Over a year ago, Magistrate Azore ruled that sufficient evidence was provided by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for Nandlall to answer to the charge that he stole the books which were worth $2 million.

Nandlall approached the High Court and Court of Appeal to challenge the Magistrate’s decision.  However, both Court ruled that they did not want to intervene in the ongoing matter at the Magistrates’ Court.

Nandlall then moved to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to appeal the Appeal Court ruling.

The charged was placed against Nandlall on April 27, 2017. He had said the books were given to him by former President Donald Ramotar during his tenure in office.

The charge was that he 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 three 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.