In a comprehensive decision this morning, Supreme Court Judge Justice Tie Powell ruled in favor of all the arguments presented by Assistant Commissioner of Police Andrew Lewis, represented by attorneys Peter Champagnie KC, Neco Pagon, and Richard Lynch.
At the outset, Champagnie and his team conveyed that their client had no objections to Federation Chairman Rohan James’ disciplinary hearing being put on hold pending his bid for judicial review, but they firmly stated that there should be no reinstatement. Additionally, they offered James 99% of his salary, to which James’ attorney, Hugh Wildman, contended that his client was entitled to 100% of his salary.
The judge agreed with Champagnie and his team, finding no basis for reinstatement. Moreover, James’ lawyer requested the judge to recuse herself from presiding over the matter, citing an alleged encounter of representation while she was a prosecutor in the Attorney General Chambers in the 2000s. In response, Champagnie and his team argued that the timing of this recusal application was suspiciously belated, lacking specificity, and involving an event that occurred more than 20 years ago.
The judge, however, ruled that there were no grounds for her recusal, as she saw no legal or other reasons to do so. Having ruled in favor of the Assistant Commissioner on all points of contention, James’ lawyer then sought leave to appeal, which was also refused by the judge. At the conclusion of today’s hearing, James’ attorney requested leave to appeal on all matters.
This story will be updated subsequent to our newscast.
