-after admitting that law books were bought with taxpayers’ money

AFTER admitting that state funds were used to purchase law books for him while he was Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall has decided to sue AG and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams for libellous statements made in relation to the alleged theft of those books.
Over the last two years, Nandlall has repeatedly confirmed that while he was AG, law books were purchased for him by the state, using taxpayers’ money. The missing books were bought from Lexis Nexis (U.K.), publishers of the Commonwealth Law Reports, and are said to be worth over $2.5M.
However, after the PPP was unseated in 2015, Nandlall took possession of the books which were bought for him as AG, by the state. Since then, Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams has been questioned about the missing books and has committed to taking legal action against Nandlall.

The AG has accused Nandlall of allegedly stealing the books, since they were not in possession of the AG’s chambers, despite the fact that they were bought for the then AG with state funds.
At a press conference at the National Communications Network (NCN) in March, the AG said: “Mr Nandlall will be charged for [the] missing law books…Mr. Nandlall has stolen government property and he will be charged…”
Expressing similar sentiments at another forum, Williams said: “Nandlall stole government property…the law books…he still has the law books and he will get lock up for the law books and anyone who claim they gave him permission to steal the law books will get lock up as well, because there is no immunity for stealing and doing criminal acts in this country.”
Since then, Nandlall has filed legal action against the AG, seeking to claim in excess of $125M for defamation. The former AG is being represented by Attorneys Odai Ramischand, Euclin S Gomes, Sase R Gunraj, Manoj Narayan, Sasha S Mahadeo-Narayan & Rajendra R. Jaigobin
Nandlall is claiming damages in excess of $25M for libel published on the 24th day of March, 2017, at a press conference, hosted at the National Communication Network Inc.; damages in excess of $25M for libel published in the Guyana Times newspaper, on March 25th, 2017; damages in excess of $25M for slander published during an outreach programme in Berbice, on March 26, 2017; damages in excess of $25M for libel published by Demerarawaves on March 27, 2017; and an injunction restraining Williams from repeating similar statements for which he is being sued.
The AG has 28 days after being served the statement of claim, to prepare a defence, serve it to Nandlall, and file it, with proof of service at a Registry. Should Williams fail to defend the proceeding, Nandlall’s lawyers say judgment may be given against him in his absence and without further notice.