Last Updated on November 22, 2019, 2:56 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Konris Maynard, St Kitts and Nevis Member of Parliament from West Basseterre, has asked St Kitts and Nevis Minister of Tourism and International Trade, Hon Lindsay Grant and Ambassador of Youth, Sports and Culture, Jonel Powell, to resign from the post following a High Court judgement in a breach of fiduciary duty ,breach of trust and the failure to account or misappropriation of US$ 460,000 (EC$1.2 million) belonging to a client.
As per High Court documents, on December 22, 2017, Tanzania Tobin Tanzi filed a claim against Powell and Grant, alleging breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust and the misappropriation of US$460,000.
Maynard St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) Parliamentary Representative from St Christopher 3 (West Basseterre) during a chat show on Freedom 106.5 FM Issues programme on Wednesday said that in situation like this where the level is so high lawyers has a responsibility to ensure that when someone gives them their money, the honourable thing to do is that the people can trust them to do what has to be done with their money they have given them.
He said that after this now only appropriate thing for Lindsay Grant and Jonel Powell to do, especially Lindsay Grant, is to resign. He also added that this is not first checked on Grant.
Maynard said they remember very clearly and saw with their own eyes – and this was not hearsay – where Grant negotiated a bribe with a foreigner lands in the federation. He said that Such things that gives people cause as to why they should trust any politician.
“When you say something that people are questioning whether or not they believe you these are the things that give you a challenge,” he said.
He further said that Powell and Grant has given hint to make an appeal to the October 28 judgment.
The complainant Tanzania Tobing Tanzil had claimed that a total amount of US$460,000 was transferred to Grant and Powell’s bank accounts in May 2013. The amount was transferred for the purchase of a condominium unit under the Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Programme and to secure the title for the property.
After hearings before a Master at various dates in 2018, the Court in February 2019, determined terms of default judgment and ordered Grant and Powell to pay damages. Powell and Grant filed for a stay of the order and a hearing was set for September 26, 2019 before Justice Eddy Ventose.
In October 28, judgement Justice Ventose refused to set aside the default judgment and ordered that Tanzil and Grant and Powell to make the submissions on the assessment of damages for December 12, 2019 hearing.
While Tanzil was represented by Sylvester Anthony, Renal Edwards and Angelina Gracey Sookoo Bobb.
Brian Barnes of Daniel and Brantley & Associates represented Grant and Powell respectively.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
