It was with shock, dismay and amazement that I read your article in Thursday’s Chronicle about the esteemed Mr. Nigel Hughes, Attorney-at-Law. That a most prominent member of the legal profession and a role model for the youths of Guyana could engage in such a project to deprive the nation of its revenue is mind boggling. Taxes are needed for development. By not paying taxes, the country and its people are denied the opportunity to benefit from developmental projects. All business entities and individuals who are employed must pay PAYE.
Mr. Hughes is always battling strongly as an Executive Member of the AFC in an effort to reduce VAT in Guyana. The learned attorney and his party claimed that the reduction of VAT was aimed at benefitting the poor people of Guyana. Experts, however, have proven that a reduction in VAT would benefit only the rich people.
By his own refusal to pay VAT, on which the court has stated that he owes more that $943,000, Hughes seems to be fighting for his own benefit and those of his other rich friends and not for the lower working class.
This information that is public knowledge is telling me that he is guilty of corruption! I know that not paying your taxes is against the law. A leading American actor and film producer, Wesley Snipes, was jailed for tax evasion and less than a week ago celebrated his 50th birthday in jail, evidence of the serious nature of this offence.
Mr. Hughes, according to the report, had to be taken to court to pay what is owed to the State.
I must ask why the Guyana Bar Association is not doing anything about this situation, although the Court has stated that Hughes is guilty of tax evasion and must pay the money. Is it because some of the members are all friends of Nigel Hughes? I think it is unethical for him to deprive the state of revenue and nobody does anything.