Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 08, 2015 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon
This country has some of the most amusing humans in the world. Maybe there are hundreds of Donald Trumps in Guyana waiting to contest the presidency. Two Guyanese that I would like to write on often are Magistrate Judy Latchman and Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam. I have never penned a column on Mr. Sam, but I have done several on Magistrate Latchman. In fact I took Ms. Latchman before the Judicial Service Commission.
I will tantalize readers. Do you want to know what happened? I will give details bit by bit over the coming years. I was told by my editor, Adam Harris that to avoid libel I must shape my words the following way; “In my opinion, John Jones is not the person who should be in charge of the blood bank.” Harris told me once the writer uses the words, “it is my opinion,” he/she is on safe legal ground.
I checked with several lawyers who told me Adam is right but the words, “it is my opinion” can still get you in legal hot water, depending on what you say. In the situation with Adam, I had written that I do not think the person who is the current medical superintendent of the Georgetown Hospital, is the right person to hold that position. The doctor sent a lawyer’s letter demanding an apology from me. The paper requested I do an apology. I did.
I wasn’t satisfied. I sought the advice of a sitting judge and three lawyers. They all told me that a columnist and/or editor cannot lose a libel action for the mere expression that you think the holder of an office should no longer possess it or is not the right person to occupy that office. These four gentlemen said to me that an apology was not necessary. The judge laughingly said that if one can be sued for saying so, then cricket captains in every cricketing nation would have sued thousands of cricket journalists.
How interesting that I am writing about that cricket example on the same day in the current Ashes series that England bowled out Australia for 60 runs. In Australia, sport journalists are calling for the sacking of the captain, Michael Clarke. I am sure Clarke isn’t going to send out any legal letter.
It is my opinion that Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam should be removed from his position. I now offer my reasons. In 2012, there was once a protest movement named the People’s Parliament. A few of us from that entity got involved in an incident in the compound of a high school in East Bank Essequibo which we, Georgetowners referred to as West Coast Demerara.
The person at the centre of the action was a high-ranking member of the school board. He confronted some of us including this writer, Dennis Atwell of the AFC and Sharon Harding, mother of Colwyn Harding, the youth that has accused the police of torturing him by pushing a baton into his anus. The police ranks in question are currently on trial.
This school official, in full view of school children and the deputy headmistress, unbuttoned his shirt so the gun in his waist could be seen. He was threatening me menacingly. A mini-bus, no doubt that was summoned, drew up and a number of men with guns in their waistlines came out and advanced toward me. I was hurriedly escorted to my car by my People’s Parliament colleagues and told to leave immediately.
The next day, Sharon Harding, Leonard Craig of the AFC and I submitted a letter to Mr. Sam in his office and requested an investigation. As Sam escorted us out of his office, I turned to him and said, “We will hear from you I trust.” Sam used one word which is an adverb that I vividly recall. He responded, “absolutely.” Despite dozens of calls to Sam on his land line and cell number, to this day we never heard back from him.
Mahendra Boodhoo called me to say he complained to the owner of this newspaper, who recommended that I write about his plight. I am doing so now.
Mr. Boodhoo said he was robbed at gunpoint of eight million dollars in goods. The men, one of whom was a UG student, were found guilty and given community service by Magistrate Latchman. I hope I don’t disappoint Mr. Boodhoo when I say that I cannot agree with first offenders being jailed. But I certainly disagree with the erratic sentencing policies of Ms. Latchman. I have written about this Magistrate several times before. In my opinion, she should be removed from the bench.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 28, 2024
Minister Ramson challenge athletes to better last year’s performance By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s 23-member contingent for the CARIFTA Games in Grenada is set to depart the...B.V. Police Station Kaieteur News – The Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be reconstructed... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]