GUYANA | Opposition MP sues Govt for violating his Constitutional right to freedom of movement

GEORGETOWN,  Guyana, December 19, 2023 - Opposition Member of Parliament, Former Minister David Patterson, has sued the Government of Guyana for violating his constitutional right to freedom of movement. 

In a Fixed Date Application filed December 12, 2023 by the law firm of Hughes, Field and Stoby, Patterson on behalf of Patterson, named Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC as sole respondent.

Patterson is requesting in excess of $100,000 for breach of guaranteed fundamental right to freedom of movement as guaranteed by Article 148 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on or about the 28th day of September 2023.

On October 10 last the firm sent a letter to Nandlall, seeking $25 million as compensation for their client. By way of said letter Nandlall was advised failure to respond within five days of receipt of said letter would lead to the filing of constitutional proceedings.

On September 26 last Patterson, having cleared customs and immigration, was prevented from boarding his flight to Washington, DC to participate in the Diaspora Conference on Guyana.  

He was scheduled to deliver a presentation on Guyana to the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) on Capitol Hill the next day.

At the time of the incident Patterson’s attorneys made known “the magistrate had expressly permitted him to travel for business and professional reasons when he was recently charged, provided he attended the court hearing either virtually or in person.” 

Further, his attorneys reported even after information was communicated to the immigration officers, that their client was not barred from traveling-under the circumstance. 

An inquiry was made into whether the Immigration Department  was in possession of any order of Court restraining their client from travelling. 

The response indicated they had no such order, neither were they aware of any such order but there was “something in the system” which advised Patterson could not travel.

The police later apologised for the incident stating it was a mistake.

The case is scheduled for February 1, 2024 before acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire S.C

Patterson who was Minister of Public Infrastructure in the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change government ((APNU+AFC), brings his experience in government and intellectual acumen to bear in overseeing government’s performance and policies, notably in the electricity and oil and gas sector.

Source: Village Voice News