NEWS: Attorney Nigel Hughes responds to Pres. Jagdeo statements that he will never be made Senior Counsel
by Gordon Moseley on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 1:02pm
NIGEL HUGHES PRESS RELEASE
It has been brought to my attention that His Excellency, the President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo used the opportunity while addressing his supporters at Luisignan last night to make several slanderous statements about me.
I merely wish to state the following
1. The fact that the current administration found it impossible to identify a single person of African descent qualified to represent this country of ours at the level of Ambassador at any international posting is probably the most salient statement on the practice of racism in politics in contemporary Guyana .
2. I do not require the President to validate my work as an Attorney at law. It will speak for itself.
3. His Excellencyβs statements have confirmed a long held belief in the profession that the conferral of the status of senior counsel by this present regime, is a political act. Accepting the conferral of such an award from the present regime would be like asking Steve Biko to accept an award from P.W. Botha during the apartheid era.
4. His Excellencyβs statements about the considerations for the award of silk have considerable implications on the independence of the judiciary and they have been noted.
5. If His Excellency ever feels disposed to emerge from beneath the cloak of immunity I would be more than happy to engage with him in an appropriate forum at his convenience.
6. Our professional oath as Attorneys at Law obliges us to represent our clients without fear or favor and I have had the privilege of representing an array of clients including Mrs Varshie Jagdeo over the course of my professional life. The categorization or classification of my clients has not been a concern of mine as I am not retained as a priest but an Attorney at Law.
7. It is my hope that, should the occasion arise post November 28th 2011, that His Excellency may require appropriately qualified legal counsel whether from Senior Counsel or otherwise , that he does not feel constrained by comments made at Luisignan.
C.A. Nigel Hughes
Guyanese and proud descendant of a long line of field slaves.
by Gordon Moseley on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 1:02pm
NIGEL HUGHES PRESS RELEASE
It has been brought to my attention that His Excellency, the President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo used the opportunity while addressing his supporters at Luisignan last night to make several slanderous statements about me.
I merely wish to state the following
1. The fact that the current administration found it impossible to identify a single person of African descent qualified to represent this country of ours at the level of Ambassador at any international posting is probably the most salient statement on the practice of racism in politics in contemporary Guyana .
2. I do not require the President to validate my work as an Attorney at law. It will speak for itself.
3. His Excellencyβs statements have confirmed a long held belief in the profession that the conferral of the status of senior counsel by this present regime, is a political act. Accepting the conferral of such an award from the present regime would be like asking Steve Biko to accept an award from P.W. Botha during the apartheid era.
4. His Excellencyβs statements about the considerations for the award of silk have considerable implications on the independence of the judiciary and they have been noted.
5. If His Excellency ever feels disposed to emerge from beneath the cloak of immunity I would be more than happy to engage with him in an appropriate forum at his convenience.
6. Our professional oath as Attorneys at Law obliges us to represent our clients without fear or favor and I have had the privilege of representing an array of clients including Mrs Varshie Jagdeo over the course of my professional life. The categorization or classification of my clients has not been a concern of mine as I am not retained as a priest but an Attorney at Law.
7. It is my hope that, should the occasion arise post November 28th 2011, that His Excellency may require appropriately qualified legal counsel whether from Senior Counsel or otherwise , that he does not feel constrained by comments made at Luisignan.
C.A. Nigel Hughes
Guyanese and proud descendant of a long line of field slaves.