Observer from newsco photo
An arrest warrant issued by Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh for customs agents Rowan Matthew and Foston George earlier today, September 2, has been released.
The two, along with customs officer Joezine Christian, were expected before the Court, at which time depositions for their case would have been handed over to them.
However, when the case was called, only Christian was present – prompting the Chief Magistrate to issue a warrant for the pair’s arrest and detention in Her Majesty’s Prison.
After the men were informed that their freedom was in jeopardy – as a High Court judge cannot release them on a bench warrant – they, along with their lawyers, headed to the Court.
Andrew Okolo, who is representing Matthew, told the Court that his client’s wife had contacted him and he had told her that he (Okolo) did not have to be present in court for the depositions to be given to the men. He explained to her that the document would be sent to his office if he was not there in person.
Apparently, Matthew’s wife took this to mean that her husband should also not be present and therefore told him not to attend the hearing. It is said that the woman told this to George as well.
However, George’s lawyer, Wendel Robinson, is said to be unhappy that his client has not kept his court date.
Both men were asked by their lawyers to apologize to the Court – which they did – but not before Walsh had raked them over the coals for contempt of the court system.
She ordered the men not to repeat their actions, or they will be jailed until their case comes up for trial in the Supreme Court.
Because Christian was the only defendant present this morning, the prosecution was unable to submit a deposition. This will have to be done on October 5, the new date for the execution procedure.
Meanwhile, when the Court inquired about bail papers for the two men – who had gone the unusual route of applying to the High Court on Carnival Monday, August 1 – they were told the papers had not yet arrived from the court upper; only those for Christians.
Therefore, the men had to wait in Court until their lawyers took the documents to the Chief Magistrate. Her opinion was that, without documents, the pair were not with one condition; therefore, Matthew and George faced detention until the documents were obtained.
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The documents were later presented to Walsh – almost a month after a High Court judge ordered they be sent to the Magistrates Court.
The three are jointly accused of defrauding the Customs Department.
Matthew, of Judges Hill Estate, George, of Pares Village; and Christian, of Buckleys, face charges of conspiracy to defraud, an offense which allegedly occurred on November 6, 2017, in Deep Water Harbour.
Matthew and George are jointly charged with obtaining money by false pretenses, while Christian faces two additional charges of corruption in public office and defrauding the public revenue.
The charges allegedly relate to the embezzlement of over $25,000 in Customs revenue.
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