DR Bharrat Jagdeo, “Champion of the Earth” and former President of Guyana petitioned the High Court yesterday pointing out that because of his international obligations, he was obliged to travel overseas regularly, but was now confronted with a dilemma.That, he said, was brought about through a Whim Magistrate before whom he appeared on a private criminal indictable charge filed by Lawyer Christopher Ram.
On the 25th day of May, the magistrate placed him on his own recognisance and told the petitioner, “bail was granted on the condition that your petitioner is not to leave the jurisdiction without the permission of the court.”
Attorney-at-Law Mr. Murseline Bacchus who is representing the petitioner, gave him certain advice.
The condition would cause an onerous duty and grave hardship on your petitioner, since he resides over 75 miles from Whim Magistrates’ Court and he can only seek permission to leave the jurisdiction on the days that the case would be called .
Your petitioner is aware of his legal responsibility to appear in court on whatever dates the case may be fixed for and he has no intention of absconding.
Wherefore Your Petitioner humbly prays that this Honourable Court would be pleased to remove the condition that he seeks the magistrate’s permission before he leaves or can leave the jurisdiction.
Attorney-at-law Mr. Trenton Lake, who represented the plaintiff Mr. Christopher Ram when the matter was called before the Acting Chief Justice yesterday, offered no objection to
the suggestions put forward by the ‘Champion of the Earth,’ in his petition.
The Chief justice was inclined to agree with Mr. Murseline Bacchus.