Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique


Hon. Elvin Nimrod

Opposition Member of Parliament for the Town of St. George, Peter David wants Attorney-General, Elvin Nimrod to resign from the post.

David has submitted a motion to the House of Representatives for a debate on Nimrod's fitness to exercise the functions of Attorney-General. The executive member of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is taking issue with the AG's position on the Switzerland "Briefcase" issue involving Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.

Governor-General, Sir Daniel Williams has appointed a one-man commission to look into allegations that the Grenadian leader accepted a bribe of US$500, 000.00 from an international con-man in June 2000 to make him an accredited diplomat.

Prime Minister Mitchell has admitted accepting the sum of "approximately $US15, 000.00 from Resteiner to help finance the trip of his delegation to several European cities and Kuwait. Following is the "No-confidence Motion" that was submitted to Acting Clerk of Parliament, Adonis Baptiste for possible inclusion at the next sitting of Parliament:

Pursuant to the above subject matter and in accordance with STANDING ORDER NO. 25, I hereby table the following motion in my name and request that it be placed on the order paper for the upcoming sitting of the House of Representatives.


Hon. Peter David

WHEREAS the Governor General on Monday August 23rd 2004, pursuant to the Commission of Inquiries Act Chapter 58 of the revised Laws of Grenada 1990, established a Commission of Inquiry into allegations published in the issue dated the 30th day of April 2004 of the publication known as Offshore Alert in Miami in the State of Florida in the United States of America and repeated in Grenada that the Prime Minister of Grenada, the Hon. Dr. Keith Mitchell, MP, accepted the sum of US$500,000.00 as a bribe from one Eric Resteiner as a diplomatic representative of Grenada.

AND WHEREAS the Governor General issued a Commission appointing Dr. The Honourable Richard Lionel Cheltenham, QC, JP as the sole Commissioner of the Commission authorising him to inquire into and report on the matters aforesaid under the provisions of the Act.

AND WHEREAS the terms of reference of the Inquiry states that the Commission must inquire into the truth or otherwise of allegations published in the Offshore Alert that the Prime Minister accepted the sum of $500,000.00 as a bribe from Mr. Eric Resteiner.

AND WHEREAS the terms of reference of the inquiry directed that the Commissioner forthwith proceed at such place or places (whether within or without the territory of the State of Grenada) and at such times as may be convenient with due diligence and dispatch to inquire into the matters under inquiry.

AND WHEREAS the Governor General Charged and Commanded all members and officers of the Royal Grenada Police Force and all loyal citizens of the State of Grenada in their several places and according to their several powers and abilities that they be abiding and assist the Commissioner without fear.

AND WHEREAS the Commissioner in the Inquiry on August 13th 2004 in his public statement at the opening of the Inquiry said that "the Commission is vested with authority to take evidence abroad."

AND WHEREAS the Commissioner in his statement at the opening of the Commission on August 13th 2004 said that Mr. Eric Resteiner and Mr. Timothy Bass, his Director of Security, are "central to the Inquiry" and that the Commission was "hard at work trying to locate them."

AND WHEREAS the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General of the State of Grenada is Hon. Elvin Nimrod, Member of Parliament for Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

AND WHEREAS the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Hon. Elvin Nimrod, in a public statement on Sunday December 17th on the radio program Sunday with George Grant said that he was contacted by Commissioner Cheltenham requesting assistance in obtaining an interview with Mr. Eric Resteiner who at the time was in the custody of the United States Government in the State of Massachusetts.

AND WHEREAS the Government of Grenada has signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the Government of the United States establishing a facility where both States can receive the assistance of each other in obtaining statements, exhibits and other information for the purpose of investigations into criminal activity.

AND WHEREAS the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Hon. Elvin Nimrod, in the public statement on Sunday December 17th on the radio program Sunday with George Grant, said that he decided not to accede to the Commissioners request because he determined that the Commissioner was on "a frolic."

AND WHEREAS to this day the Commission has been unable to interview Mr. Eric Resteiner who the Commissioner described as "central to the inquiry."

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

(1). That the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Hon. Elvin Nimrod take full responsibility for the Commission's failure to obtain an interview with Mr. Eric Resteiner, a vital witness for the commission.

(2). That the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Hon. Elvin Nimrod has failed to provide the necessary assistance to the commission as required by the terms of reference as set out by the Governor General.

(3). That this House has no confidence in the Minister for Legal Affairs and Attorney General.

(4). That the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Hon. Elvin Nimrod tender his resignation as Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General.

(5). That an investigation be carried out into attempts by the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Mr. Elvin Nimrod to impede the Commission of Inquiry in the course of its investigations.