Attorney General Anil Nandlall has said he will exercise restraint in publicly commenting on the extradition case involving Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, following a caution issued by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) during Tuesday’s hearing.
CCJ President Justice Winston Anderson, while acknowledging that attorneys have a right to free speech, noted that they also carry a responsibility not to publicly comment on pending court matters, warning that statements made outside the courtroom have the potential to undermine the fairness of proceedings and erode public confidence in the process.
Speaking on his weekly Issues in the News television programme, Nandlall said he would heed the regional court’s guidance.
“The Court before concluding its sitting issued an admonition from all sides that restraint should be exercised in relation to commentary in respect to the matter, so in due adherence to that admonition I will exercise that restraint,” Nandlall said.
The Attorney General has been using his Tuesday television and social media programme to offer regular commentary on the case since extradition hearings commenced. Notably, his public remarks became part of the legal arguments advanced by the Mohameds’ legal team, who cited them in support of their claim of bias in the extradition process.
Nandlall said he looks forward to the conclusion of the matter before the regional court, noting that CCJ President Justice Anderson acknowledged that extradition is a process that requires dispatch and that the Court would take that into account in delivering its ruling.
The CCJ has reserved its decision and has promised to rule on the matter as soon as practicable.
