IT is with much displeasure that the Ministry of Legal Affairs refers to several headlines appearing in at least three of the country’s leading newspapers, indicating that Attorney General Basil Williams, SC, MP, was denied an interim stay yesterday.

The attorneys representing the interest of the respective parties were invited to yesterday’s case-management conference to set strict timelines for the hearing and consideration for a stay of the chief justice’s decision issued on 31st January, 2019 and a conservatory order preserving the status quo.

In fact, before the adjournment of this session, The Hon Attorney General, Basil Williams, SC, MP, capitalised on the opportunity to request an interim stay of the chief justice’s decision, relying solely on the case of Desmond Morian;the AG reminded the court that the then Chancellor Mr. Carl Singh had used his absolute and unfettered discretion and had granted an interim stay in the matter. Mr. Nandlall opposed the attorney general’s application by stating “we have not been heard,he needs to argue for that….I would like to submit my submissions first.”

However, Justice Rishi Persaud politely “informed” that he is not minded to grant an interim stay, since he is working with strict timelines established earlier, so he does not see the need to grant a stay at this time.”

The headlines of these articles are considered wholly misleading, mischievous and are calculated to create undue unrest among the Guyanese people. It’s quite imperative for these media outlets to adopt a more responsible and candid approach when reporting matters of this magnitude. To date, the attorney general has not been able to argue the application for a Stay or Conservatory order, because only the case-management conference was conducted.

Regards
Ministry of Legal Affairs