A local High Court Judge in Grenada has put stop for the time being into the Preliminary Inquiry into a fraud related case brought against former Opposition Leader Michael Baptiste of the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP).

Justice Francis Belle in an order made last Friday (January 26, 2004) granted leave to Baptiste's attorney-at-law, Anslem Clouden to apply for an order of Certiorari to try and quash a decision handed down by Acting Magistrate, Karen Noel.

In September2003, Magistrate Noel refused to entertain a request made by the defense in relation to the disclosure of witnesses including that of star prosecution witness, Harry Wakasa, a Texas-based Japanese-American businessman.

Justice Belle reportedly made his decision to accommodate the request of the defense after reading the sworn affidavit of Baptiste which was filed on Nov 17, 2003 and subsequent submissions of lawyer Clouden.

Wakasa who was on the island for Monday's hearing, is believed to be the person who provided the bulk of funds for Grenada to attend meetings of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and to support Japan's position on whaling.

Baptiste is charged with fraudulent Breach of Trust in which it is alleged that he pocketed over EC$200,000.00 which the Government of Japan donated to the Government of Grenada during his tenure as Agriculture Minister from 1997-1999.

Baptiste is known to have attended a number of international whaling meetings on behalf of the Keith Mitchell-led New National Party (NNP) administration. He left the government in 2000 after relations worsened with the Grenadian leader on some of the polices being pursued in rural Grenada.

During Monday's court hearing, Magistrate Henry Paryag who resumed duties took a decision to adjourn the matter until March 15 pending the outcome of the motion filed by Clouden in the High Court.

The prosecution has indicated that it is ready to proceed with the case against the former Opposition Leader but it is bounded by the decision of the High Court judge.