Sen. George Prime

Deputy Political Leader of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator George Prime says that the Judiciary in Grenada is under threat. Speaking to reporters at a press conference Tuesday, Prime voiced his fears that the administration of Justice and in particular the Judiciary under the ruling New National Party-led government of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell is presently under threat.

"I will argue that is a dangerous aisle (and) we ought to put a stop to it right away", he said. Sen. Prime made the charge against the backdrop of a report carried in last week's issue of this newspaper that the NNP was making moves to have one of the sitting Judges, Justice Davidson Baptiste removed from Grenada on the grounds of being bias against the regime.

The NDC Number Two said he had no doubt that there is clear political interference in the judiciary, adding that, "the evidence is there and we must speak out against it. According to Prime, the issue is very pertinent to the welfare of the State.

"In my view I will argue that there seems to be a move in the judiciary which brings the judiciary into the politics of this country. It is under threat .... as it stands now (and it) seems to suggest that it can become politicised", he remarked.

Prime indicated that the Congress party is aware that the NNP was attempting to have the high court judge removed from Grenada, "In fact we are very much aware that he (Justice Baptiste) may well be sent very shortly to another jurisdiction other than Grenada, not yet known", he said.

Sen. Prime suggested that the move against the judge was being triggered by some of the judicial pronouncements by Baptiste that went against government. The judge had also decided to withdraw himself from a matter involving government's Legal Advisor, Hugh Wildman who openly criticised Justice Baptiste as being biased against him.

Prime said it is clear that Baptiste is being seen by the NNP as pro-NDC or biased, and described it as the worst allegation that any individual could make of anybody in a judicial capacity let alone a high court judge. He stated that judges are paid to deliver justice, which can go either way, pointing out that judgement may go in one's favour now and someone else the next day.

Sen. Prime also confirmed a report that was carried in last week's GRENADA TODAY about Acting Chief Justice of the OECS, Brian Allyene not getting the nod for the post of Chief Justice. He said that Alleyne was shot down by virtue of one Prime Minister of the sub-regional grouping deciding not to give him the post.

Sen. Prime charged that he has no doubt that there is political interferences in the Judiciary in Grenada.