Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Nelson has downplayed a personal attack launched against him by Attorney-at-law Dwight Horsford over the Hugh Wildman detention issue.
Horsford, an executive member of the main opposition New National Party (NNP) said the detention of Wildman, the former Legal Advisor to the NNP government of ex-Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell was based on a grudge on the part Nelson.
Speaking to reporters on the issue, the DPP said that Horsford"knows not of what he speaks".
According to Nelson, he is disappointed that such a young professional is allowing himself to be used"for political fodder to be chewed, spit out and reused". He said the detention of Wildman has nothing to do with politics since as DPP he was pursuing the matter on solid evidence that cannot be allowed to go without being properly investigated.
Nelson ordered the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) to pick up Wildman for questioning in connection with the role he played leading up to the collapse of the controversial First International Bank of Grenada (FIBG) in which depositors lost millions.
He said that Wildman's detention was based on evidence that had surfaced and which was thoroughly reviewed the day prior to his detention at the Point Salines International Airport (PSIA). He maintained that the move was part of an ongoing investigation into First Bank which is believed to have bankrolled the NNP to its 15-0 victory in the 1999 general elections.
The DPP pointed out that based on the new evidence at hand, he owes it to himself and the Grenadian people, to rigorously investigate all angles so that Grenadians can have answers to the questions and allegations that have been plaguing the country for years and which contributed to the blacklisting of the country.
He noted that during his interrogation, Wildman provided useful assistance and confirmed certain suspicions as part of the probe. DPP recalled passing pertinent information received regarding FIBG operations in 1999 to then Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant Colonel, Nestor Ogilvie which suggested that the bank was engaged in money laundering and other illegal activities but nothing was seemingly done about it.
He described as"merely coincidental" the arrest of Wildman at the airport when he was attempting to board an Air Jamaica flight to return to his homeland. Two other persons - former Police Commissioner, Ogilvie and Ex-Offshore Regulator, Michael Creft were also questioned by police as part of the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, Attorney Horsford continues to insist that the detention of Wildman was as a result of a personal"grudge" by Nelson and there was no basis for the action as evidence by his release without charge. He said that Wildman wanted Grenadians to know that he will be back in Grenada to pursue legal actions against the State for alleged violation of his human rights during his detention at the St Paul's Police Station.
Wildman has also vowed to take legal action against the newly installed Tillman Thomas administration over an alleged $148,000.00 owed to him in salaries and other benefits.
Horsford complained that his client's request for a bath and a visit from his private doctor since his blood pressure had gone up took long in being fulfilled. He also charged that his client was put lock up in a cell and made to sleep on a wall platform with no linen, as well as jeered at and verbally abused.
The lawyer said that his colleague feels very aggrieved and sees the move against him as nothing but"over hostility" by the new government. Horsford believes that the allegations against Wildman are unfounded and politically motivated and created with sensation to embarrass him. He also likened it to being a part of an agenda by the new rulers in St. George's to pursue senior members of the former NNP administration.
