Heated debate forces early adjournment of extradition enquiry in Jamaica
Heated argument among the attorneys present forced the chairman of the Commission of Enquiry looking into the extradition of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke to adjourn Tuesday's session prematurely.
Attorney general and minister of justice, Dorothy Lightbourne, was under cross examination by Patrick Atkinson, attorney for Dr Peter Phillips, when the adjournment was taken.
The Jamaica Observer reported that there more suggestions that Lightbourne acted corruptly in her dealing with the Coke extradition.
But Lightbourne steadfastly maintained that there was no corruption in the handling of the matter.
From the outset of his cross-examination, Atkinson suggested that she was motivated by an intent to have the August 25, 2009, extradition request withdrawn by the United States.
"My position most certainly was not to have the request withdrawn by the United States of America," responded Lightbourne.
Asked if it was appropriate for the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to take the initiative to set up meetings between the government of Jamaica and agents of the US government, Lightbourne responded that countries and governments lobby all the time.
On Monday, Lightbourne was accused by K. D. Knight QC, representing the opposition People's National Party (PNP), of corruptly using her office to protect the political career of Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the political interest of the JLP.
Lightbourne emphatically rejected the charge made by Knight, who had been grilling her for days during the Enquiry.
The Jamaica Gleaner reported that Knight repeatedly accused the minister of acting corruptly under the guise of protecting Coke's constitutional rights.
He also accused her of employing delay tactics in a bid to preserve Coke's political power. But the minister dismissed the accusations and stoutly maintained that she had acted to protect Coke's constitutional rights in her handing of the extradition request from the United States.
"Miss Lightbourne, you sought information on this in order to delay the extradition request and you did so by the corrupt use of your authority," asserted Knight.
"That is absolutely untrue and not necessary," Lightbourne responded.
The enquiry continues.
