BELOW are excerpts from a satirical libel trial in which Mr. Geekay Lallabahoo has sued “De Guyanese Cricketer” for libel over a corruption accusation. GL is for Lallabahoo and DL is for defence lawyer.

DL- Mr. Lallabahoo do you regard the accusation of corruption as a character-damaging act?

GL – Yes sir, I certainly do.

DL- Would you agree that the statement of corruption, if levelled against the leadership of a company, security organisation, hospital, commercial bank, political party, government, sports organisation, etc. can result in loss of income, power etc. Let me explain further. Would you agree that if a newspaper indicts a government for corruption, it could cause the world to look at that government in a bad way?

GL – Yes, I agree.

DL- Tell the court, Mr. Lallabahoo; have you made statements of corruption against individuals, politicians, governmental leaders, and organisations? And if yes, do you stand by what you wrote?

GL – Yes, I have. And I stand by what I wrote.

DL- Have you ever been sued for libel by anyone since you have been writing about corruption?

GL- No.

DL- Do you think that what you wrote should have generated libel writs against you?

GL – No

DL – And why is that so?

GL – You have to ask the people that chose not to sue, not me.

DL- I am asking you sir.

GL My answer is still the same.

DL- You wrote a book titled, “Guyana: A National Cesspool of Greed, Duplicity, and Corruption,” in which you were unrestrained in naming people and places for corrupt practices. Did anyone sue you based on the accusations you made in the book?

GL – I told you. I have never been sued for libel.

DL – In that book you referred to City Hall as the M&CC mafia. Don’t you think that is indicting officials of City Hall for criminal behaviour through the use of the word “mafia”?

GL – No, sir.

DL- Have you ever levelled charges of corruption against the ruling party of Guyana and the government that it administers?

GL – Yes.

DL- Why did you do that?

GL- I wrote what I wrote because at the time I believed in what I wrote.

DL – You still do?

GL – Yes.

DL- Would you agree with me that the logical, rational, and sensible thing to do when you make accusations of corruption is that you should supply the proof?

GL – Not necessarily?

DL – Do you care to explain that?

GL – I said; “not necessarily” and I will stick with that.

DL- Mr. Lallabahoo, I have 87 statements from you over a ten-year period in which you cite corruption in the Government of Guyana at the highest levels? Have you ever published the proof you have?

GL- No.

DL- And why not?

GL – Because there was and is no need to.

DL—But seriously, a person cannot be levelling corruption charges against the government of a country over a ten-year period and not publish even one item of proof. What do you say to that?

GL – I don’t think it was and is necessary to publish the proof.

DL- Okay, let’s move on. Did you ever have a relationship with wealthy gold miners?

Plaintiff’s lawyer: Objections, your Honour, the question is irrelevant.

The Judge. Sustained.

DL – Your honour, the question is relevant because I am trying to go in a certain direction, which will help my client.

The judge — Whatever direction you are going into is your business counsel but the objection is still sustained.

DL – Mr. Lallabahoo, did you know any rich gold miners?

Plaintiff’s lawyer:  Objections, your Honour. Question is irrelevant.

The judge- Sustained.

DL- Let me put it another way, Mr. Lallabahoo. Were you ever in a legal capacity where you or the organisation you headed had to interface with gold miners?

Plaintiff’s lawyer – Objections. Still irrelevant.

The judge – overruled. The plaintiff should answer the question.

GL- Yes.

DL – And what might that organisation be, sir?

GL – The Guyana Precious Metal Export Board

DL- What position did you hold?

GL – The CEO chair

DL- Mr. Lallabahoo, would you agree that if you have been writing about corruption in the PPP government then, as an activist who dishes it out, you should be thick-skinned and allow other people to do what you are doing. I mean, you attacked organisations, especially the prestigious government of a country, viciously labelling them as corrupt but the recipients of your wrath allowed and allow you the latitude to say what you want to say. Why are you denying “De Guyanese Cricketer,” the same right?

GL – Because as a minister of religion, I am a superior human than them, protected by the presence of God.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.