PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has sued Kaieteur News, its Editor Adam Harris and columnist Freddie Kissoon for damages in excess of $10M for libel. The alleged libel is in an article by Kissoon, headed ‘King Kong sent his goons to disrupt the conference’ and published by the newspaper on June 28, last.
The President also sought and got an injunction restraining the defendants and each of them by themselves, their servants and or agents, or otherwise whomsoever, or howsoever from further publishing the said or any similar libel about and concerning the plaintiff.
The President is also seeking aggravated or exemplary damages, costs, and such further or other costs as the court deems just and proper.
The writ was issued by Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Attorney–at-Law.
In his Ex-Parte Application by way of Affidavit for interim injunction, President Jagdeo said among other things that Kissoon on June 28 wrote an article in the Kaieteur News under the caption ‘King Kong sent his goons to disrupt the conference’ which contained libel that “has caused me and the entire Government of Guyana great public embarrassment, held us up to odium and ridicule, both nationally and internationally.”
Acting Chief Justice, Mr. Ian Chang, in granting the injunction sought yesterday after hearing the Ex parte application, ordered and directed that the Respondents/Defendants whether by themselves, their servants and or agents or otherwise howsoever, be restrained and an interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the Respondents/Defendants jointly and severally from publishing the word or words to that effect contained in the article.
The matter will be heard before Chief Justice Chang in Chambers on August 5. (George Barclay)