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VOLUME:116 No.35, FEBRUARY 13TH, 2019
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INSIDE: CYCLISTS READY TO TACKLE RIDE FOR HOPE
UNDER ARREST Reckley flown to Nassau by Anti Corruption Unit By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE expected arraignment of a former Urban Renewal official and three others did not go on as planned yesterday in Magistrate’s Court after the prosecution failed to present the court with a completed docket. The circumstance meant the formal arraignment of Michelle Reckley, the former deputy director of Urban Renewal in Grand Bahama; Stephanie Collie, Kylon Vincent and Chris Symonette on various charges had to be delayed for a period of nearly two hours yesterday. They were brought to court after 4pm. The matter was finally put off until noon today after Chief Magistrate
Joyann Ferguson-Pratt asserted that it would be “grossly unfair” for her court and staff to proceed without a completed docket which identified all charges being brought against each accused person and completed list of witnesses. In a series of statements released yesterday, Progressive Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell decried the arrests as “political persecution” and likened the situation to “slave shaming” of PLP supporters. He accused the government of seeking to “parade the individuals through the streets of Freeport, its airport and in Nassau to frighten those who support the PLP and intimidate those who wish to turn to the PLP”.
THE government’s continued “defence of the indefensible” in the case of Douglas Ngumi, a Kenyan man allegedly detained unlawfully in the Carmichael Road Detention Centre for six and a half years, could increase the damages the state will have to pay. Fred Smith, QC, sought leave during trial yesterday to amend the writ of
SEE PAGE FIVE
A CRACKDOWN is coming for those strip club owners who employ undocumented foreign women, National Security Minister Marvin Dames warned yesterday, as he regretted the ruin of the country’s “moral fibre” to human trafficking. The minister further revealed Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson’s plans to look into claims that Royal Bahamas Police Force officers allegedly own some clubs in the illicit nightlife circuit. Pointing to the country’s stiff human trafficking penalties, Mr Dames said: “We will be going after those persons very aggressively.”
SURVIVORS OF ABACO TRAGEDY IN COURT
SEE PAGE THREE
summons to seek aggravated damages –– special damages imposed on a defendant when the court determines its conduct increased injury to the plaintiff. He did this after Kenria Smith, a lawyer from the Office of the Attorney General, opposed his attempt to persuade Supreme Court Justice Indra Charles to deliver judgment yesterday after the opposing parties finished cross-examining Mr Ngumi.
By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
SEE PAGE TEN
By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
‘DEFENDING THE INDEFENSIBLE’
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
STRIP CLUB BOSSES FACE ‘ILLEGALS’ CRACKDOWN
FORMER Urban Renewal deputy director Michelle Reckley, above, was brought to court yesterday along with three others to face charges but they were not formally arraigned and will return to court today. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
TWO days after 22 of their countrymen were laid to rest, the 18 survivors of the Haitian sloop shipwrecked near Abaco earlier this month were yesterday charged with illegal landing. All 18 migrants pleaded guilty to the offence of illegal landing and were convicted by Magistrate Kara Deveaux-Turnquest. The group, ranging in age from 18 to 51, was turned over to the Department of Immigration for deportation. Yesterday, one of the migrants addressed the court. Through an interpreter, he apologised for the offence, telling the court SEE PAGE FIVE
MAN GUNNED TO DEATH IN FOX HILL By TRIBUNE REPORTER
A MAN was shot dead in Fox Hill last night, becoming the fifth person killed since Saturday. The death pushed the murder count to 11 so far this year, according to The Tribune’s records. “Shortly after 8pm police responded to the area of Fox Hill Park after receiving reports that gunshots were heard in the area,” Supt Shanta Knowles, press liaison officer, said last
THE SCENE last night. night at the scene. “The officers cleared the park, discovered that gunshots
were not in the area of the park and as they were driving west on Bernard Road, they saw a group of people running from a vacant lot ... the officers made a check of that lot and discovered a man laying with injuries to his body.” The victim appeared to be 40 to 45-years-old she said, and is known to police, however she did not release his identity. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE THREE
ALICIA WALLACE WE NEED TO GET REAL ON HUMAN RIGHTS
SEE PAGE EIGHT
PAGE 2, Wednesday, February 13, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
EX-GRAND LUCAYAN WORKERS HAPPY WITH CASH By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FOLLOWING the payout of severance packages to over 160 hotel workers in Grand Bahama, Commonwealth Union of Hotel Services and Allied Workers Union president Michelle Dorsett said many of the former Grand Lucayan workers were happy with their sums. While thanking those
who accepted packages for their services, she encouraged those remaining workers who will stay on to be committed as she was optimistic that the hotel would soon reopen. “I truly believe that there are brighter days ahead for the Grand Lucayan and for the island of Grand Bahama as a whole,” she said in a press statement issued recently. “We give God thanks for seeing us through this
entire ordeal, because without Him this day would not have come. It has been a long and hard-fought battle but we are grateful that the government intervened and acted in the best interest of the workers,” she said. The workers received severance, gratuity, and back pay, according to the union. Last Friday workers received their letters detailing what they were entitled to receive. Ms Dorsett noted that all
of 164 workers who applied for separation deals have accepted their packages and that many were happy with the payouts. She said that the union has not received any official complaints from recipients. She also noted that a number of employees have contacted the union president to express their gratitude for helping to bring the matter to a close. Ms Dorsett thanked the
And this little piggy ... bit a model’s behind By RIEL MAJOR INSTAGRAM model Michelle Lewin encountered a not-so-pleasant surprise on a Bahamian beach when a pig took a bite of her rear end while she was posing for a short video. In the video posted to her Instagram page, the 32-year-old Venezuelan is seen holding a camera and wearing a white two-piece swimsuit on a beach as she frolicked on an island with pigs running after her. The Instagram model turned her body with her back facing a group of pigs, resulting in one of the pigs sneaking up and biting the model’s buttocks causing her to scream and run away. The pigs followed her but fortunately quickly lost interest. The video did reveal a red bruise on the model’s rear end. The experience was captured and shared with her 13.3 million followers on Instagram. The post went viral and received over four million views and over 650,000 likes up to press time. The Bahamas has several “swimming pigs” attractions, with the most famous being on a cay in Exuma. It is not clear which island Ms Lewin is on in the video. Watch the video now at Tribune242.com
MICHELLE DORSETT
government for also considering and including casual workers in the Banquets Departments for six to 12 years in the payout process, despite the fact that they were not permanent but were also provided severance packages. The government, which purchased the hotel property last year for $60 million, is looking to resell the resort to an investor who can develop and reopen it.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, February 13, 2019, PAGE 3
MAN SHOT TO DEATH IS 11TH OF THE YEAR from page one With a spate of murders in the past few days, Supt Knowles was asked if police suspected the killings were part of a gang war. However she said police did not have information at the time to connect the incidents. “Right now they all appear to be random, as in the public has no need to fear,” she said, adding police are investigating to see if there is a link to the murders and will inform the public if there is. She
appealed to those persons who were in the area of the shooting to contact police and give them information that can help the investigation. This comes after three men were shot dead in separate incidents on Sunday and another man was killed on Saturday. Supt Knowles said police are making headway into the murders that occured on Sunday. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 919, 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS.
THE SCENE in Fox Hill last night. The victim is the fifth killed since Saturday, pushing the murder count to 11 so far this year.
FORMER Urban Renewal deputy director Michelle Reckley, seen here handcuffed to Stephanie Collie, was brought to court yesterday and will return there today. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
Reckley flown to Nassau by Anti Corruption Unit from page one He also said: “This is extra judicial punishment. The police and the Crown have learned nothing since the debacle of the Frank Smith and Shane Gibson cases. “The public servants in this matter, both the police and the prosecution lawyers, should know that they are not immune from personal suit and bankruptcy if they offend the judicial laws of our country with regard to the treatment of defendants. There will be a price to pay.” Meanwhile, all four of the accused, through their attorneys, told the court that they were taken into custody at various points throughout the day yesterday, with three of them brought by police from Grand Bahama to face the charges. They claimed they were not fed or granted an opportunity to speak with their respective counsel. Reckley, for her part claimed that she was arrested at her home in Grand Bahama by officers early yesterday morning. She said officers entered her home, made their way to her bedroom and took her into custody. She said she requested that officers give her some time to better attire herself,
but was denied. Reckley appeared in court a blue blouse, a pair of blue jeans and sandals. In addition to not being fed, Reckley said she, along with Collie who was also arrested at home, were denied an opportunity to speak with their attorney while in Grand Bahama. She alleged that two of them were taken out of a side door while their attorney waited in the foyer of the Grand Bahama Central Police Station. As for Vincent and Symonette, the former was arrested while heading to work, appearing yesterday with a work bag on his back and packed lunch in his possession. The latter was taken into custody in Nassau. He was reportedly assisting police up to the time of his arrest. The allegations incensed Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt, who immediately called on the police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Barrington Miller and the arresting officers to give a formal account of the defendants’ time in custody to the court. In response, arresting officers supplied the court with a record of detention for all four accused persons, which alleged that all were fed at some point.
KYLON Vincent and Chris Symonette
As the records were read into court, all four accused persons dismissed them as inaccurate. Reckley and Collie maintained that they were never fed, while Symonette claimed he was housed in a cell with two other people, whom he said were presented with meals. Vincent said in addition to never being given a meal, he was not permitted to eat the meal he had with him. ASP Miller subsequently requested a recess to speak with his superiors to determine how to proceed with the arraignment in the absence of completed dockets. After a break of about
20 minutes, he returned to inform the court of the Crown’s decision to have the matter put off until today. The four accused meanwhile were taken to the Cable Beach Police Station until they return to court. The judge ordered that they be fed and allowed to take whatever medications are needed. Attorneys Wayne Munroe, QC, Jomo Campbell, Anthony McKinney and Owen Wells appeared for Symonette and Vincent. Attorneys Damian Gomez, QC, Renaldo Toote and Philip McKenzie appeared for Reckley and Collie.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, February 13, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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Detention Centre horror story demands Immigration Dept overhaul THE case of yet another life interrupted by a horrific and prolonged stay at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre punctuated by beatings and abuse without formal charges ever being filed against the detainee makes for grim reading. Until there is a final judgement and opportunity passes for appeal, the responsible press can only report what is revealed in legal proceedings. But we do not have to wait for a book or movie on the life of a man who will never be able to get back the six and a half years he spent in what has been described repeatedly as a hellhole of inhumanity to man, to call for an end to the abuse of detainees and demand an immediate overhaul of Carmichael Road Detention Centre management. That means holding the Department of Immigration accountable. It means starting with reviewing the process by which detainees are picked up. It means facing issues of abuse, overcrowding, filthy conditions and treatment that should shake all of us to our core. Under the current regime, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force is tasked with maintaining the perimeter. All other responsibilities fall to the Department of Immigration and regardless of how much Immigration may wish to point the finger elsewhere, the proverbial buck stops with the Director and the people he assigns to duty. There must also be a process by which files are reviewed on a timely basis so that no one ever again experiences the unnecessary deprivation of freedom that the current case is based on, once again highlighting a system totally overwhelmed and undermanaged. In the present case, Douglas Ngumi, a man from Kenya who entered The Bahamas lawfully, was granted a work permit, married a Bahamian citizen and was awaiting a spousal permit was arrested for overstaying and hauled off to the detention centre on Carmichael Road where he spent the next six years. His description of life inside of what is supposed to be a holding facility is blood-curdling. Abuse. Filthy bathrooms. Toilets that never flushed. Beatings. He reports being handcuffed, shoved under a table and tied to it while being beaten with PVC pipes so severely that “people had to wipe puss out of my back” with tissues for days afterward. At one point, one Immigration officer had to threaten another that if he didn’t stop the beating, he would call the police on him. In the courtroom before Supreme Court Justice Indri Charles, the memories were so fresh, so haunting and disturbing that a year after his release Mr. Ngumi broke down. Choking back tears, he tried to compose himself and continue testifying, describing conditions that he said led to his suffering from pink eye, a “scratching disease” and tuberculosis, eventually spending six months in Princess Margaret Hospital. The real tragedy is not just that Mr. Ngumi suffered, although what he endured should never have happened. The real tragedy is the Carmichael Road Detention Centre has been at the centre of one horror story after another for more than two decades and very little,
other than an apparent slight improvement in food quality, has changed. Human rights inspectors and detainees alike have all reported conditions that are inhumane. As long ago as 2009, after a Cuban American Human Rights organization called the detention centre a “concentration camp,” Nassau Institute’s Rick Lowe, a respected thinker and blogger, penned these words: “It’s bad enough that our prison is reported to be a hellhole but for a detention centre where people are housed while awaiting deportation to be compared to a Nazi concentration camp should embarrass every church and political leader throughout our archipelago.” Five years later in 2014, 13 Cuban nationals were hauled off to Her Majesty’s Prison after reportedly becoming disorderly and attempting to burn down the detention centre. Their protests made international news. In 2018, a pregnant woman still in her first trimester, was arrested and held for 16 days though she had done nothing illegal. Though it was cold outside and she complained of freezing, she was forced to sleep on a mattress without top sheet. She had no underwear for four days and was treated, she said, like a common criminal. She cried day and night, suffered terrible bouts of morning sickness, was not allowed to contact her husband, Tristan Rolle, and lived in fear of retribution because she managed to contact a lawyer. Like others who have won cases against the government for false imprisonment, the mum-to-be was caught up in an island-wide manhunt for potential immigration violators. Individuals who are carted off to the detention centre, a facility conveniently out of sight and out of mind except when an atrocity occurs, have not been convicted of a crime. Many say they are ordered to present their documents as part of a random crackdown on illegals, some saying they showed documents reflecting legal status but were loaded aboard a bus anyway. Opportunity for corruption is obvious. Who would not give all the money they have to keep their freedom? Change must occur. A proper process for timely review must be instituted. Immigration officers must be outfitted with body cameras both on raids and in the detention centre. To avoid the stigma of being assigned to the detention centre and taking anger or resentment out on detainees, Immigration officers must be rotated regularly, making the assignment short-term. Human rights and ethics training must be required prior to taking up the detention centre duty and a record of success at the assignment can be a step on the ladder of promotion. There are a hundred ways to improve the management of the Carmichael Road Detention Centre but conditions and operations cannot be allowed to continue as is. The faster The Bahamas officially recognises the danger and acknowledges the problems, the faster officials in partnership with civil society can get to work to correct the inherent flaws and end the abuse and restore justice and dignity befitting a country with such nationalistic pride as The Bahamas claims.
If you hear gunfire, don’t arrive too early EDITOR, The Tribune WHEN it comes to crime, any form of accurate imaging – video certainly assists the police. Much is said of the local CCTV system, however I find it extremely curious, that whenever the police have video of an incident, it normally comes from the private sector – store owners and not the police
CCTV system. Can someone explain? How many crimes using solely the police CCTV system, have resulted in arrests and convictions? How many crimes using solely private CCTV systems, have resulted in arrests and convictions? I certainly look forward to these questions being answered. Police officers...when
the shooting alert system comes on line, be careful if you are close to a location of gunfire, not to arrive too early…in the US there have been numerous incidents of police shout-outs and deaths, even unfortunate injuries to the public. T SEYMOUR Nassau February 10, 2019
A few wishes for this year EDITOR, The Tribune WE WHO are reading this have much to be thankful for. We made it into a brand New Year and are able to look forward to the future, while ardently living the present. Our wonderful nation, despite the internal threats, for we really face none from without, save and except illegal immigration and migration, is poised for systemic, even if anaemic, economic growth and a degree of societal progress. Most sensible Bahamians have a ‘bucket list’ for 2019 in our personal and national lives. May I throw out for consideration and discussion a few of what are on my list. First and foremost from a personal level, I am going to get even closer to The Lord and do a whole lot more than I have ever done to Preach the Good News. Secondly, more of us must come to the realisation that it is not all about us as individuals, but about the moral, spiritual and economic well being of our fellow Bahamians. None of us, politicians, especially, should lord it over any other Bahamian because of background, class or societal standing. It is my fundamental mission in 2019 to re-enter the constituency of Bain & Grants Town, immediately, as a community organiser with a view to representing that constituency come the next scheduled general elections or whenever the current representative, what a misnomer, is subjected to a byelection. Those who have eyes to read, let them read. Those who are in the House of Assembly now, be forewarned that ‘weeping might endure for a night, but that joy will come in the morning. Personal development and constant rebranding are critical for an individual. I am fluent in several languages but this month I have started to take instructions in Haitian Creole. Why that language? 56% or more of the current residents in that fabled and beloved constituency, like it or not, are rumoured to be of Haitian heritage. I, too, am part Haitian, so it’s merely embracing
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net one’s identity and societal posturing. On the national level, I would like to see improvement in the performance of the ministers and chairpersons within the Minnis administration, starting with the “lazy” Prime Minister himself. Minnis, on the campaign trail, was the Pied Piper of old. Bahamians just love to lap up political shaving cream, for want of a better word, and Minnis, et al, dished it out in large spoonfuls. Minnis, with all due respects, does not appear to be in charge of anything. We see him but hardly ever hear him because he seldom descends from Olympus to address the unwashed Bahamian masses, especially here in New Providence. Even if one were to concede that Minnis is merely posturing as the driver and not in the back trunk, there are only three tyres on the vehicle which is speeding along the Airport Road, with no lights and no workable brakes. Several ministers are out of their depth. Like who, you might ask? Let’s start with the Hon Frankie Campbell (FNM-Southern Shores), Minister of Social Development & Services. No cabinet post should be held, exclusively by a female or a male but in Campbell’s case he is most unsuited for this vital post. He is a police officer by training. He has, as far as I am aware, no training in social development or sociology. He’d, perhaps, be suited as Minister Without Portfolio and should be replaced by the Hon Shanedon Cartwright (FNM-St Barnabas). The latter is “a man of the people” and he has deep roots within the inner city communities. The Minister of Education, is, no doubt, a good and holy man. As Minister, however, in this post, he has, so far, been a Master of Disaster and is the most arrogant son to ever to stride the halls of parliament. Minnis had to cobble a cabinet together so, in Lloyd’s case, he probably had little choice but
to throw him a bone. That bone, however, is too important to just allow him to chew on it while the educational system continues to crumble. He’d best be suited as a Minister, also without portfolio. He should be replaced by the Hon Michael Pintard (FNM-) who as current Minister of Agriculture knows next to nothing about that industry. He, Pintard, is ill suited, in my view, for this critical position. Our erstwhile Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon Darren Henfield (FNM- North Abaco) is another man of the cloth with extensive military training but he is like a fish out of water. He is not prepared, in my view, for his current post. He should be appointed Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry of National Security, if only to ensure balance over Minister Marvin ‘the Honourable’ Dames (FNM-Mount Moriah). Replace the Hon Darren Henfield with Minister Brent Symonette (FNMSt Ann’s), another clueless minister, if ever there were one. The current Minister of Finance, in my view, cannot ‘count’ and may be better served with an abacus. It is now clear that either he is not trained for the delicate art of high finance or he simply does not know what the hell he is doing. Bring in another MP to take over the Ministry of Finance. Who? The financial gurus in the FNM are almost non-existent. And so, my fellow Bahamians, I thank God for at least three “good” MPs in the FNM and at least two in the PLP. Yes, my wish list for 2019 might be long but it has always been my contention that it is better to Go Big or Go Home…… the title of an exciting new book authored by my beloved pastor, Valentino Williams of Life Changers Ministries International, and available at the church or online. Go Big, my fellow Bahamians, in 2019 or, God forbid, Go Home. To God then, in all things, be the glory. ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau January 13, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, February 13, 2019, PAGE 5
SURVIVORS OF ABACO TRAGEDY CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL LANDING from page one
that many of them were in search of better lives to provide for their families back in Haiti. “I’m sorry for coming illegally,” he said. “I have a family and children to take care of.” According to court dockets, the 17 men and one woman were apprehended after the vessel they were on sunk off Abaco on Saturday, February 2. According to earlier reports, the ship was carrying approximately 83 people – 76 men and seven women – all of Haitian descent. After local residents discovered four bodies in the water near Man-O-War Cay, police, fire and rescue services, along with immigration and Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) personnel stationed in Abaco conducted
a search near Fowl Cay and ManO-War Cay. Officials were later joined in the search by a RBDF patrol vessel already in the area, Her Majesty’s Bahamian Ship (HMBS) Durward Knowles and a United States Coast Guard helicopter. An initial search of the cay resulted in the recovery of 15 Haitian nationals. They were taken aboard HMBS Durward Knowles under the command of Lieutenant Commander Omarv Saunders. Three others were later recovered in subsequent searches. A submerged vessel was later spotted by the USCG helicopter on Saturday afternoon. A dive operation by RBDF divers and a local diver found an additional 12 bodies in the vessel on the seabed in reef-filled waters near Fowl Cay.
SOME of the survivors Several other bodies associated with the wreckage have washed up in the days since the incident, bringing the total number confirmed dead to 31 so far but as many as 35 remain missing. In addition to the 18 survivors, three other Haitian nationals were
arraigned on charges of illegal landing in two separate matters yesterday. In the first case, Alex Aguste, 22, and Evens Joseph, 33, pleaded guilty to one charge each of illegal landing. The two men were found in Harbour Island, Eleuthera on Friday, February 8, without leave from the Department of Immigration. At the time of arrest, Joseph produced a receipt for a work permit application dated December 28, 2017. Prosecutors said the application was rejected shortly after its submission on the grounds that it was submitted by a person residing in the Bahamas illegally. Conversely, Aguste at the time of arrest admitted to illegally landing in the Bahamas and travelling to Eleuthera via a mailboat.
Additionally, he said he never attempted to seek legal status. Both men in addresses to the court apologised for their actions, insisting they were also in search of better lives. “I am sorry. My mother is dead and my father is deceased. I have six brothers and one sister that I came to look for a life for,” Joseph told the court. Both men were convicted and turned over to the Department of Immigration for deportation. In the final matter, Blandine Dorval, 29, pleaded guilty to a lone charge of illegal landing. Dorval was discovered in Marsh Harbour, Abaco on February 4, without leave of the Department of Immigration. She was convicted of the charge and subsequently turned over to the Department of Immigration for deportation.
‘Defending the indefensible’ QC pressing for aggravated damages in Ngumi case from page one
Mr Ngumi testified on Monday he was beaten, teargassed and contracted tuberculosis during his detention. The Office of the Attorney General failed to submit witness statements and evidence in the case in accordance with Justice Charles’ directives. The judge made it clear that at this point the defendants could realistically only reduce the amount of damages paid to Mr Ngumi. Accordingly, Mr Smith asked the judge to render a judgment in favour of his client and let the two parties argue about the cost of damages during their submissions next month. Ms Smith resisted this, however, saying the Crown will not concede the case and wants to “tie up the evidence” by “showing particular documents that have already been filed before this court that would assist with the defence.” Mr Smith replied: “They should have received instructions to concede this and in the face of no evidence by the Crown and the nature of the claim, it is incomprehensible that they would not concede and apologise.” He continued: “I will amend my pleadings to add a further aggravation of damages. Let me remind my friend that in the Tamar Merson case and the Harvey Tynes case with Judge (Joan) Sawyer it was noted that it is a peculiarly aggravating feature of damages in cases like this when the Crown persists in defending the indefensible. In both of those cases, her ladyship commented, in the first one that up to the very end of trial there was no apology in the defence of the indefeasible. In the second one, the governor general (at the time) himself sent a letter of apology
and your ladyship said she may very well have awarded damages of up to $1m had it not been for the apology and other factors which I’ll take the court to.” Nevertheless, Ms Smith said she wants to show the court that a process initiated for deporting Mr Ngumi encountered problems. When Justice Charles asked her if she concedes Mr Ngumi spent six and a half years in detention, she said ‘yes’. The judge asked: “Well why did you keep him (in the detention centre) for seven years or whatever time period? Even if he had no documents, because I know, I looked at the documents and there were problems in how he was to be sent back to Kenya, you kept him there for seven years? That would be the question to be asked and you have no evidence to contradict anything that he said. “To me it would be difficult for this court to accept anything in submissions unless you can say he was not there for seven years. I think there is no dispute as to that. Why was he kept there for so long? If you were trying to get documents for him, the least you could do is let him go on the streets until you find his documents but keeping him there for seven years…?” Earlier, Ms Smith requested leave to file a witness statement on behalf of the Crown. Her request was denied. During case management proceedings, the judge directed that witness statements and all pieces of evidence be submitted to the court by November 23, 2018, a deadline the Crown missed. “I don’t know what your submissions could be in the absence of evidence,” Justice Charles said. “We have his evidence and, of course; it would have to stand. There isn’t anything you could materially do.”
DOUGLAS Ngumi pictured yesterday. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
In the court documents they did submit, Crown representatives cited the passing of the statute of limitations as a ground on which they would challenge Mr Smith’s case. The Crown could not explain this point yesterday, however, with Ms Smith saying it will be dealt with during her submissions. The Crown’s crossexamination of Mr Ngumi produced few new details, though Ms Smith pressed him about the fact that he pleaded guilty to overstaying in 2001 and was deported to Cuba.
AMENDMENTS TO COMMERCIAL ENTITIES ACT GOVERNMENT will table proposed amendments to the Commercial Entities (Substance Requirements) Act when the House of Assembly meets today. The Commercial Entities (Substance Requirements) Act, 2018 was among a package of legislation passed in December 2018 aimed at implementing measures to ensure compliance with international standards on tax governance and transparency. Under the Act, commercial entities must prove that they have a substantial economic presence in The Bahamas by having incomegenerating activities. They must also show management and control over the business entity locally.
The Commercial Entities (Substance Requirements) (Amendment) Bill, 2019 expands and clarifies various definitions, and substance and reporting requirements. The Bill also includes proposed changes related to holding companies and resident criteria. The amendments follow the latest round of highlevel discussions between senior government officials and the European Commission, and take into account feedback received from the Commission following an assessment of the legislation. The government worked closely with key stakeholders in the financial services sector in preparing the amendments to the
Commercial Entities (Substance Requirements) Act. International advisors were also consulted. A meeting was held on Monday with members of the wider financial services industry to outline the proposed amendments and invite feedback. The government has also met with the opposition to discuss the proposed changes. The amendments reinforce the government’s intent to take all necessary steps to safeguard the financial services sector and maintain the industry’s competitive edge, and ensure the removal of The Bahamas from all watch lists in the shortest timeframe possible.
PAGE 6, Wednesday, February 13, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
SCHOOLS SAFE DESPITE STABBING, INSISTS LLOYD By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
ONE day after a student was stabbed at CC Sweeting Senior High School, Education Minister Jeff Lloyd has insisted public schools are safe for students and teachers alike. According to police, a 17-yearold student was taken into custody in connection with the stabbing. Last month, a male teacher at CV Bethel Senior High School was injured in an altercation with two students. When asked about By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said yesterday that 95 percent of teachers at CW Sawyer Primary School called in sick yesterday, noting they are still awaiting a full report submitted by engineers to the Ministry of Education on the safety of the school. In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, one affected teacher said educators are concerned about the structure of the building. The school was closed last Thursday and Friday allegedly due to the presence of mould. However, Education Director Marcellus Taylor said on Monday that it was a “build-up of dirt” instead that created the “unsanitary situation” that forced the school’s closure. The teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, also refuted claims that classes resumed yesterday — saying teachers stayed outside due to the heavy fumes still present in the building from a cleaning exercise. She added that outstanding issues present at the school include the upper floor shaking, a reported sinkhole, cement falling from the ceiling, and electrical and plumbing issues. Education Minister Jeff Lloyd addressed the
updates regarding the incident at this school, Mr Lloyd again emphasised all actions are being taken to address and resolve the matter. “Police on the island of New Providence are investigating a stabbing incident which left a juvenile male with injuries, and another male in custody,” the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) said in a statement. “According to reports, shortly after 11am, Monday, February 11, 2019, an altercation occurred between two male students, on the premises of a senior government
school in the western district of New Providence, which escalated, resulting in one of the students being stabbed about the body. “The injured student was transported to hospital, where he is detained in stable condition. “Police have taken into custody a 17-year-old student of the same school, in connection with this incident.” When asked about the matter yesterday, Mr Lloyd reiterated the matter is under investigation. “The school has been dealing with that, along with the police and the parents and the student
has been receiving medical treatment and the matter is now under active investigation,” he said. “I am awaiting a report so that we can determine what actions need to be taken. I want to emphasise that our schools are safe for our students and our teachers. “I want to emphasise that wherever incidences of violence or threats of violence occur, those are immediately addressed, confronted, and resolved so that, again, we provide the safest environment for those who need to be on the campuses.” When asked for updates on the
CV Bethel incident yesterday, Mr Lloyd replied: “You know the CV Bethel matter is, in terms of teachers and students, it’s been addressed and resolved and the police has now given a report that we are reviewing along with the reports that we received from the principal and the particular students. “The teacher involved has refused, upon advice, to give a report as I said to you last week. However we are taking whatever actions we need to take in order to address that situation. Again, it’s about safe schools.”
95% of teachers called in sick at primary - BUT chief structural issues at the school when questioned by reporters yesterday. “As you know Sybil Strachan, with regard to the scabies, that has been addressed and rectified and I believe that students and teachers are back, as well as CW Sawyer,” he told reporters. “We are looking at the structural circumstance of the entire school system, including CW Sawyer. Our teams along with the Ministry of Works’ teams have been working to assess exactly what the state of the physical structure is as an update to the assessment that was done last year and during the summertime. “So there is a constant revision of that update. But we have just done so in the last week and a half. And the idea is to see where there might be issues that will arise from a critical standpoint that need to be immediately addressed. “We have been mandated by the Ministry of Finance to provide a report on the costing of what may be required between now and the end of the fiscal year
BUT president Belinda Wilson and that is in process at this time and we should have a response in terms of any leads determined by the end of...this Tuesday.” Yesterday morning, Mrs Wilson told The Tribune the majority of teachers called in sick saying they are “awaiting the full report submitted by engineers to the Ministry of Education.” She added: “Teachers
and students should work in a safe environment.” When asked how many teachers there are total, Mrs Wilson said 45, adding the union is awaiting a report from either the Ministries of Education or Works. However, when contacted yesterday, Mr Taylor said he was told that only 19 teachers called in sick. Mr Taylor told The Tribune: “I
think that would represent about half of the teaching staff.” Meanwhile, the anonymous teacher told The Tribune teachers protested last Wednesday over the issues. “We officially started the sit-out Wednesday, we had some issues of the structure of the building — we had the upper floors shaking and then we had an incident where parts of the cement from the building (roof) started to fall, break into the classrooms,” she said. “We had had electrical issues, plumbing issues,” she continued. “We had an incident where the cement from the belt of the roof fell into the classroom and fell through the ceiling … This would have been last term.” The teacher added when it rains, water leaks in the classrooms, wetting the walls. She said that issue has been ongoing and whenever it is raised, someone from the Ministry of Works plasters the area — a temporary solution. She also supported initial claims that there is indeed a sinkhole at the school.
“Yes there is, on the upper floor,” she said. “I think in the grade 4 area. And that would be directly over preschool.” The teacher also responded to reports that it was dirt, not mould which affected the school. She said this was due to the school’s yard not having any grass — resulting in the dirt blowing inside the classrooms. She added that this has caused teachers and students to get sick. “The cleaning was fine but that was never our concern,” she said of the dirt remediation. “We didn’t request for the school to be cleaned. I think they were trying to pull wool over our eyes, to say that they’re trying to help the situation. “But we actually asked if they could put some grass down to prevent all the dirt and the build-up of the dirt coming into the classroom. That (would) be a solution to the problem.” She added that teachers will be returning to school today but noted they will be meeting with union representatives this morning.
‘WONDERFUL’ PLANS FOR CLIFTON HERITAGE PARK By RIEL MAJOR
OFFICIALS of the Clifton Heritage Authority have announced the next stage of development for the Clifton Heritage Park will commence next month. Shonel Ferguson, Fox Hill MP, said the team has wonderful plans on the way for the park. She said: “This park speaks to who we are in a large way. In terms of the Lucayan village, we hope to break ground next month. Our team is fairly extensive, we get expertise from wherever expertise exist. “It is the one place in the whole country where you have had three civilisations living in this one space...you had the Lucayans, the Europeans and the Africans. We have plans to get the wetlands back...we have plans to get birds back and we have plans to have experiential tours. Some have already started so when you come here, and
you go to the slave village you will see gardens with the type of things the slaves grew. They were able to grow things for their own sustenance.” At a press conference on Monday, Ms Ferguson said park officials are about to rebuild the Lucayan village so people can see first-hand how the Lucayans lived and in hopes of attracting more visits from both tourist and locals. “People will be able to see what kind of huts they lived in, what kind of implements they used to survive, just how they live, and they’ll be able to participate in building a canoe and making something. “We are actually having some plants propagated, for instance the Lucayans coloured themselves. Same thing with the Europeans if you were wealthy you wanted things that were blue so indigo grew here, tobacco grew here, cotton grew here so we are bringing all of those things back.
“It is going to be exciting...the Bahamas we hope will flock here, tourists will flock here because it would say in a very interesting and exciting way where Bahamians started their journey on this part of the island.” Dr Colin Brooker, architect, said his task has been to identify the building owners and how the ownership pattern changed overtime. “My task has really been to identify how the plantation itself changed over time. My task now and in the future is to try keep them standing.” Ms Ferguson said money is needed and officials are looking at partnerships that can bring money to the park. She added: “People come to a national park for a number of things, they come to see history. Clifton has some natural attributes that makes it very interesting. It has a huge coastline. We look to have something here at Clifton to have night time activities.”
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, February 13, 2019, PAGE 7
‘Two dogs tied up in owner’s yard were shot by police’ By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net TWO dogs were allegedly shot in their owner’s yard by Royal Bahamas Police Force officers on Friday – an incident which has drawn the ire of Bahamas Humane Society president Kim Aranha. According to social media reports, the shooting incident occurred while officers were executing a search warrant at a residence. The dogs were said to have been tied at the time and not roaming free. Mrs Aranha told The Tribune yesterday she is “horrified” and “devastated” that “the police force would shoot tethered animals”. She added both dogs, which are “pitbull type”, were shot twice and taken to the BHS for treatment. One dog underwent surgery yesterday due to a bullet being lodged in its jaw. “Obviously I wasn’t there so I don’t know what happened,” Mrs Aranha said. “But I do know three things: one, that our ambulance driver had to undo the leashes that restrained the dogs in order to put them in the ambulance. So I do know categorically that the dogs were tied up. “I do know that the dogs were injured by being shot,” she continued. “I’ve been told that the shooters were the (RBPF). I am horrified to read how many people on social media have had similar experiences. I am devastated that the police force would shoot tethered animals.” Mrs Aranha noted both dogs were shot twice and
yesterday. They’re actually very, very nice dogs. They’re very friendly and gentle dogs. “I’m just devastated that the police would have shot dogs that were tied up. They are of no danger to you if they’re tied up — just walk out of reach…this is not target practice.” Mrs Aranha also said the BHS has encountered such a matter before. “I cannot actually tell you who, what, where, and when. But this is not the first time we’ve had a dog in that’s been shot by the police.” She went on to underscore the “horror” of “shooting an animal that is tied, can’t run away for cover, can’t get away.” “And as it was tied, was posing no danger,” she added. Mrs Aranha noted that the cost of the treatment is expensive. “I have had no contact with the (RBPF), but I will be sending them the bill,” she added. The RBPF did not provide a comment on this incident up to press time.
both sustained injuries to their legs. “But the grey one, the bullet has
remained lodged in his jaw so it is quite a delicate surgery,” she added. “We
VACCINATION ACT NO LONGER TOUGH ENOUGH, SAYS SANDS
By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE penalty for failing to have a child vaccinated is $4, according to the 159-year-old Vaccination Act of 1860. This could be the reason why the number of children receiving the MMR1 vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella has seen steady decline. As of 2016, only 89 percent of children received this vaccination, which is the lowest rate since 2012. While The Bahamas has not had a measles case since 1997, there is an outbreak in the US and other countries, posing the question of whether more can be done here to increase compliance to safeguard against a possible outbreak. The law says: “Every parent or person having the custody of a child who shall neglect to take such child or cause it to be taken to be vaccinated, or after vaccination to be inspected, according to the provisions of this Act, and shall not render a reasonable excuse for his neglect, shall be guilty of an offence, and
be liable to be proceeded against summarily and upon conviction to pay a penalty of four dollars.” Health Minister Dr Duane Sands admitted yesterday this needs revisiting. However, it’s not a priority, he said. “Now what we have to do is look at that 150 or so yearold legislation and determine what is appropriate (and) what needs to be changed etc. Given the fact that it hasn’t been changed in so long we would like it to be reasonable moving forward,” Dr Sands told The Tribune yesterday outside Cabinet. “Yes the law does require that you have your child vaccinated within a certain period of time, but the Vaccination Act came out in 1860 and the penalty is only $4. So I think we have to
HEALTH Minister Dr Sands.
revisit this moving forward No one could have anticipated that the world would see yellow fever again, that we’d see measles again, that we’d see diphtheria at the level that it is, that we’d see polio again. “Not in the Bahamas but we are seeing it around the world if anyone can remember, but the iron lungs for people paralysed by polio; ward after ward after ward with people unable to breathe. We can’t ever get back there and that’s why effective vaccination strategies are so important.” Last week, Dr Sands said officials were on heightened alert for the highly contagious measles disease, adding the country lacked the needed herd immunity to stop the development of an outbreak. US media reports this week say measles cases have reached triple digits with 101 cases reported in 10 states since February 7. Of this number, 53 were confirmed and two suspected in Washington State. As for the Philippines, since January 70 people have died and there were 4,302 reported cases, an increase of 122 percent.
TOURIST BELIEVED TO HAVE DROWNED MARIJUANA ARREST A CANADIAN tourist was found unresponsive and is believed to have drowned at Half Moon Cay on Monday, police said. Shortly before 3pm, the man, who was a passenger of a cruise ship, was discovered unresponsive floating in waters at Half Moon Cay. He was removed from the water and CPR was rendered. The victim was transported to the local clinic on Eleuthera, where he was pronounced dead. Investigations are ongoing.
14-YEAR-OLD GIRL REPORTED MISSING A 14-year-old girl has been reported missing by relatives and police are asking for the public’s help in locating her. The missing girl is Anniase Francois of Rosedale Street. She is five feet tall, with a slim build and a dark brown complexion. Anyone knowing Anniase’s whereabouts is asked to contact police at 919/911, Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) or the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991/2.
AT INT’L AIRPORT
A MAN was arrested at Lynden Pindling International Airport on Monday with more than 11 pounds of suspected marijuana in his luggage, police said. The arrest occurred shortly before 4pm when Drug Enforcement Unit officers acting on information, while at LPIA’s domestic section, searched a man who had arrived in Nassau on a flight from Andros. Police said they found 11.6 pounds of suspected marijuana in his luggage. The man is expected to be formally charged before in Magistrate’s Court this week.
are very hopeful that the surgery will be successful. I went to visit them
PAGE 8, Wednesday, February 13, 2019
W
E have never talked much about human rights. When the topic comes up, it is often in reference to the right to life and liberty. Every now and then, human rights come up in the context of a pressing social or political issue we are struggling to address. We know we have signed the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, but that does not mean we are happy to comply. We are especially aggrieved about international conventions when it feels like they are in opposition to what we like to call our “culture” or what we often mistake for Christianity. Human rights, however, are for everyone and are not open to interpretation. Governments are obligated to promote and protect human rights. The Bahamas, now on the Human Rights Council, should be paying even more attention to human rights and the way they are and are not respected in the country. There are a number of human rights instruments that focus on specific groups of people and provide international guidelines for protecting their human rights. These include the
THE TRIBUNE
We need to do more than pay lip service and get real on human rights Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. They are all worth reading to gain an understanding of human rights in the case of specific, often vulnerable communities.
Excuses, excuses Many of our views are in direct opposition to human rights. We contribute to the violation of human rights when we excuse the withholding of these rights with personal persuasions, religious, cultural and otherwise. Bahamians are not the only people who do this, nor are we the only people who are going down a slippery slope in this regard. We can look at countries where female genital mutilation is a common practice, and considered acceptable because it is thought to reduce women’s libido and ensure virginity until marriage. This horrific experience is a violation of a range of human rights and can result in health complications or death. Christian values cannot excuse this practice, nor can culture or tradition. The ties that have been made between religion, culture and tradition and female genital mutilation, however, make it difficult to address by advocates in the countries it is practiced as well as treaty bodies monitoring human rights issues. It must first be understood human rights come before any romanticised ideas about existing practices that violate them and that human life is valuable beyond measure.
The plank in our own eye Every time there appears to be an increase in crime, especially murder, we start to talk about punishment. Some of us are convinced stiffer penalties would deter criminals and reduce the crime rate. No one wants to spend even a single year in prison, but that is not often a consideration when a violent crime is in motion. The actors are doing what the believe they have to do, whether for their own survival, to protect their egos, or to send a message. We see it these acts of violence as senseless and cruel, and we are sure they are not worth the loss of life or the consequences. We, however, are on the outside looking in. As right as we may be, we are not in those situations, do not have the same histories and likely
COFFINS line up for the mass funeral of 22 Haitians last Sunday. see a much broader picture than those carrying out these acts. One thing we do not often think of is how we have contributed to the development of so many people who find it relatively easy to harm others. This week, it was reported that the new crime council conducted a survey of young men who are or have been imprisoned and found that nearly all of them experienced physical abuse. There has, of course, been some conversation on social media about the way we discipline children and its connection to crime. As always, there is a group of people insisting their parents beat them yet they turned out “fine,” so their children and grandchildren will as well. If you believe the best way — or the only way — to discipline a child is by causing physical pain, are you really okay?
Children have rights too We frequently (and conveniently) forget children are human beings too. It is not said enough that children have rights. This is certainly an area for the government and those working with children to improve. The Convention on the Rights of a Child itself says in Article 42 that governments must “undertake to make the principles and provisions of the Convention widely known, by appropriate and active means, to adults and children alike.” We have to know before we can understand and there are certainly a few things we still do not know. Children have the right,
from birth, to a nationality. Contrary to what many Bahamians think and say, children have the right to freedom of expression. Article 12 states their views are to be “given due weight,” in matters of the law, with consideration to age and maturity. The Convention states both parents have responsibilities in raising the child. This, we know, is often ignored and we find it easy to blame mothers for social ills. The Convention, in Article 19, makes clear the government’s obligation do all that is necessary to “protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation” while in anyone’s care. Is corporal punishment not violence? Do we really not see the connection between this form of “discipline” and the violent society we now live in? It may be we are comfortable with current practices if only because they are what we know. It seems we are vehemently opposed to change.
We are all human We are not doing ourselves any favours by ignoring human rights. There are certainly people we consider less than human and they include women, children, migrants (Haitians in particular) and criminals. These people are all a part of Bahamian society, and excluding them impedes our progress. We must resist the urge to focus on difference, exclude people, and make it difficult for them to access resources. This is a habit we need to break.
We have come to recognise Bahamian children’s right to education, but not migrant children. We want children in school, but are not particularly concerned about their health and safety and that of administration and teachers (as evidenced by recent reports of issues in more than one school). Is it good enough for them to be in school under any conditions? We should not only be moved when teachers take action or children suffer a scabies outbreak. We have a detention centre which is meant to temporarily house people who enter the country illegally, but people are held there for extended periods of time. The story of Kenyan Douglas Ngumi’s six-and-a half-year detention is horrifying, and we should all be embarrassed. Many of the responses to the deaths of possibly 65 people en route to The Bahamas have been selfish, inhumane and hateful. The loss of life is not the only tragedy; our inability to recognise desperation and vulnerable, and see the humanity of people trying improve their own conditions is its own source of grief. There is far more to discuss regarding human rights — privatisation of essential services, calls for capital punishment and prison conditions and the lack of rehabilitation are among them. Once a year, on Human Rights Day, is not enough. Let’s do our homework, hold the government accountable, and demand the organisations we support not only acknowledge, promote, and protect human rights, but ensure everyone knows their rights and can access them.
PAGE 10, Wednesday, February 13, 2019
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Dames says claims that RBPF officers own clubs on the illicit nightlife circuit will be investigated
Strip club bosses face ‘illegals’ crackdown A11MAIN
from page one He was responding to a question from The Tribune yesterday regarding why charges were brought against women recently arrested in certain night clubs, but the owners faced no penalty. Last month, immigration officials arrested 12 foreign women from three strip clubs in New Providence following a joint operation. Eight of them were later charged with working illegally. Following this, The Nassau Guardian reported that Acting Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn VogtEvans blasted immigration officials for failing to charge the employers who give undocumented women work. She said it was “ridiculous” the owners did not face the courts. Her remarks were seen as “offensive”by Immigration Minister Brent Symonette who also admitted officials needed to do a better job at charging some employers, the Nassau Guardian reported. “As I said before no one is above the law and I would expect that the police when they do investigate that they look at this holistically,” Mr Dames said outside
Cabinet yesterday. “I don’t have the full briefing on it whether the evidence is there or whether police would have concluded their investigations. “But this is a concern for us where persons are being recruited from neighbouring countries to come here and to work in these clubs – that’s a form of human trafficking and the penalties are stiff. “We will be going after those persons very, very assiduously. We will be going after those persons very aggressively, the police that is, law enforcement to ensure they are not growing this business because its bringing down the moral fibre of this nation and is exposing it to other forms of organised crime and criminality. That should not be accepted. “So I am certain the commissioner of police and his team of officers are looking into these matters and I would expect that as the agency responsible for enforcing the law, that they ensure that everyone in violations are brought to justice.” Asked about allegations that some police officers own and operate certain clubs where infractions occur, Mr Dames said: “Listen, those are assertions. If there (is) evidence
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, January 29, 2019, PAGE 13
POLICE ARREST 12 IN STRIP CLUB SWOOP
from page one throughout the island,” immi- Immigration’s Enforcement Unit Bahama to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, HOW The Tribune reported thesaidnews of the stripby club swoop.on board a Bahamasair charter gration officials in a press was headed Chief Immigration statement released yesterday. “In particular, the aforementioned arrests were made at the Xclusive Sporting Lounge (Faith Avenue North), New Twilight Restaurant and Sporting Lounge (Robinson Road) and Cheetahs Upscale Bikini Sporting Lounge (East Bay Street) and the foreign nationals were transported to the Detention Centre, Carmichael Road for processing.” The Department of
While the women are expected out there this is in fact to be charged beforethat a Magistrate’s Court in the coming days for the case then it should be infringing statute laws, it is unclear what charges they will face. taken police so that it An officialto fromthe the RBPF said it is likely they will face charges can be addressed. for immigration offences. “The operation’s objective “Commissioner and I was to infiltrate the illicit nightlife circuit in New Providence by would have discussed this strategically targeting strip clubs because I would have heard it too, but again we have to make certain sometimes that when we say things
Officer Harold Thurston, Senior Immigration Officer Vonetta Darling-Flowers and K-9 Unit Supervisor Officer David Rolle. The RBPF’s Southwest Division was led by Police Sargent 2581 Kerr and PC 3555 Simmons. This is the latest immigration arrest in recent weeks, as officials all over the country crack down on illegal migration. Last Thursday, 62 Haitians were repatriated from Freeport, Grand
flight under heavy escort by law enforcement officers. According to the Department of Immigration, 33 of the migrants were arrested in New Providence for various immigration offences and 29 were apprehended in Grand Bahama. Twenty-five of the Grand Bahama group were arraigned last week in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court. The group was repatriated after 8am.
that there is evidence to back it up and that people know this as a matter of fact. Then I would recommend that they take it to the commissioner of police so that it can be addressed. “But I heard the same thing and I discussed it with the commissioner and he has assured me that he would be looking into it. When it is found out that this is in fact the case and is a violation of the law or any force policies or regulations, whatever, then I am certain that the commissioner will take the appropriate action.” The minister further
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the government remains committed to aggressively dealing with the country’s immigration problems, which, he said, poses a serious threat to major sectors of society. The prime minister said he is aware there were many Bahamians who feel not much has been done to stop illegal immigrants, but he insisted that “a lot” has been accomplished.
commented on the RBPF’s crime fighting strategies. He said he remains confident with the force’s measures, despite four murders recently occurring in three days, the second time this month that several people were killed within hours of each other. While he called the crimes “unfortunate” and admitted they evoked a certain level of fear among citizens, Mr Dames said there is evidence the strategy is working. He insisted that murders are down when compared to this time last year. However, he said, the reality is
there is just no way there will never be any murders. The minister said this is because certain factors are at play as he suggested the latest killings were retaliation and/or gang related. “I don’t want to get into the motive,” he said during comments on the recent spate of killings. “But like I said there is a common thread here. A trend that you see when you see incidents like this. “It’s usually a conflict between young men who may be associated with different groups whether it’s because of proximity to one another or whether it’s because of some feud over something that often results in this and also the accessibility to firearms.” He also said: “They are living in communities in homes and often times with their parents. We need more people to stand up and be counted. Don’t call on the police when the incident would have taken place.” As police continue to target criminals and criminal acts, Mr Dames said a team is in town to instal the first set of equipment for the implementation of ShotSpotter, cutting edge technology that will be able to detect where and when guns are fired. The request for proposals for expanded CCTV coverage has also gone out. Additionally, he said, between this week and next week, police body cameras will be up for discussion at Cabinet. He also said “very shortly” video cameras for police cars will be also introduced.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, February 13, 2019, PAGE 11
Full military funeral for senior policeman By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net RETIRED Chief Superintendent Basil V Rahming was remembered as an outstanding police officer who served with excellence in all aspects of his career on the police force, and as a honourable family and Christian man. Rahming, 69, of Freeport, served on the Royal Bahamas Police Force for some 40 years, and later joined the Road Traffic Department where he was appointed deputy controller in charge of the Freeport department. A full military service was held on Friday at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Pinder’s Point where he was a faithful member. Many attended the service, including Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson who said Rahming’s outstanding work ethic and achievement serves as an inspiration not only to him, but to many police officers. He said: “I found him to be a good man with good qualities. As I read through his file I was not only inspired and encouraged, but I felt a strong sense of gratitude; I was inspired by his obvious desire to excel in policing, and to serve; and to see that he had fulfilled that desire.” Rahming joined the force in 1968, two years after the Bahamas Police Force was changed to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. “He made a grand entrance (into the force), receiving the Baton of Honour in A Squad 1968.
A SENIOR policeman pays his respects to Chief Superintendent Basil V Rahming. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn
His desire to be the best police officer he could propelled him and guided him through a long successful policing career,” the police chief said. He noted that the veteran officer was described as an outstanding officer by his colleagues. “They said he was old school, from the old guard. That his loyalty was for God, family organisation and country,” Commissioner Ferguson noted. “He never watched the clock, and always showed up when called on at any hour and without complaints or
expectation, or payment for extra hours worked.” Commissioner Ferguson stated that Rahming was considered an asset to the RBPF. “He loved the job and spared no effort in getting the job done right. He was not a clock watcher so extra hours was like nothing to him. He was a good leader, a well-rounded and experienced officer having worked in practically all divisions in GB, and the Family Islands, and New Providence,” he said. Monique Coakley and Nicola Rahming Hanna also
paid tribute their father. Mrs Hanna described her father as an honourable man who did not compromise his principles as an officer. “I recalled spending time in Berry Islands and everyone on the island knew him and loved (him), and even the one prisoner,” she said, sharing a bit of humour with the congregation. Mrs Hanna said that her father knew a lot of Bahamian history and if she needed to verify something she could always call him. She also noted that her father honoured his oath as a
police officer and the organisation’s code of conduct. “He was a father, mentor, uncle, and so much more. Daddy was a great man who served and sought no praise. Daddy did not let anything bother him. In the midst of a bad situation, he always shared something positive, I am so proud to be his daughter,” she said. Rahming is survived by his wife, Sarah, and his children, Ms Coakley, Mrs Hanna, Latoya Rahming and Deandria Jones, and D’Angelo Jones.
DOMINICANS ACCUSED OF FORGING DOCUMENTS By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
TWO Dominican men accused of possessing fraudulent Bahamian documents were arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Julio Armando Melo Mejia, 36, and Yeison Medina Reyes, 21, stood before Magistrate Kara Deveaux-Turnquest charged with one count each of unlawful use of a forged document and possession of a forged document. The pair travelled from Providenciales, Turk and Caicos to New Providence on Thursday, February 7. In the case of Melo Mejia, according to the particulars, while at the Lynden Pindling International Airport on that date, he presented a fraudulent visa, #2018444980, to an immigration officer knowing that it was false. On the same date, Melo Mejia also possessed a fraudulent Bahamian work permit, #W000464512, knowing that it was forged. In the case of Medina Reyes, according to the particulars, while at the Lynden Pindling International Airport on that date, he presented a fraudulent visa, #2018444979, to an immigration officer knowing that it was false. On the same date, Melo Mejia also possessed a fraudulent Bahamian work permit, #W000462105, knowing that it was forged. Both men pleaded guilty to the charges and were fined $1,000 or one year in prison on each charge. On payment of the fines or on completion of their sentences, the two are to be released to the Department of Immigration for processing and deportation.
PAGE 12, Wednesday, February 13, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
TRUMP NOT ‘THRILLED’ WITH BORDER DEAL, BUT LEANING TOWARDS IT WASHINGTON Associated Press UNDER mounting pressure from his own party, President Donald Trump appeared to be grudgingly leaning toward accepting an agreement yesterday that would head off a threatened second government shutdown but provide just a fraction of the money he’s been demanding for his Mexican border wall. Trump said he would need more time to study the plan, but he also declared he was not expecting another shutdown this weekend when funding for parts of the government would run out. He strongly signaled he planned to scrounge up additional dollars for the wall by raiding other
federal coffers to deliver on the signature promise of his presidential campaign. “I can’t say I’m happy. I can’t say I’m thrilled,” Trump said of the proposed deal. “But the wall is getting built, regardless. It doesn’t matter because we’re doing other things beyond what we’re talking about here.” Accepting the deal, worked out by congressional negotiators from both parties, would be a disappointment for a president who has repeatedly insisted he needs $5.7 billion for a barrier along the USMexico border, saying the project is paramount for national security. Trump turned down a similar deal in December, forcing the 35-day partial shutdown that left hundreds of thousands of federal
workers without paychecks and Republicans reeling. There is little appetite in Washington for a repeat. Lawmakers tentatively agreed Monday night to a deal that would provide nearly $1.4 billion for border barriers and keep the government funded for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30. The agreement would allow 55 miles of new fencing — constructed using existing designs such as metal slats— but far less than the 215 miles the White House demanded in December. The fencing would be built in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. Full details were not expected to be released until today as lawmakers worked to translate their
TRUMP: Under mounting pressure
verbal agreement into legislation. But Republican leaders urged Trump to sign on. “I hope he signs the bill,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who joined other GOP leaders in selling it as a necessary compromise that represented a major concession from Democrats. Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelbyexpressed optimism Trump would be on board. “We believe from our dealings with them and the latitude they’ve given us, they will support it,” he said. “We certainly hope so.” Others were less upbeat. Sen. John Cornyn said, “My impression flying back with him from El Paso last night is that he thinks it’s pretty thin gruel.”
Notorious drug lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman convicted
EX-ASTRONAUT KELLY MAKES DEMOCRATIC BID FOR SENATE
NEW YORK Associated Press
PHOENIX Associated Press
MEXICO’S most notorious drug lord, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, was convicted yesterday of running an industrial-scale smuggling operation after a three-month trial packed with Hollywood-style tales of grisly killings, political payoffs, cocaine hidden in jalapeno cans, jewel-encrusted guns and a naked escape with his mistress through a tunnel. Guzman listened to a drumbeat of guilty verdicts on drug and conspiracy charges that could put the 61-year-old escape artist behind bars for decades in a maximumsecurity US prison selected to thwart another one of the breakouts that made him a folk hero in his native country. A jury whose members’ identities were kept secret as a security measure reached a verdict after deliberating six days in the expansive case. They sorted through what authorities called an “avalanche” of evidence gathered since the late 1980s that Guzman and his murderous Sinaloa drug cartel made billions in profits by smuggling tons of cocaine, heroin, meth and marijuana into the US. As the judge read the verdict, Guzman stared at the jury, and his wife watched the scene, both with resignation in their faces. When the jurors were discharged and Guzman stood to leave the courtroom, the couple traded thumbs-ups. US District Judge Brian Cogan lauded the jury’s meticulous attention to detail and the “remarkable” approach it took toward deliberations. Cogan said it made him “very proud to be an American.” Evidence showed drugs poured into the US through secret tunnels or hidden in tanker trucks, concealed in the undercarriage of passenger cars and packed in rail cars passing through legitimate points of entry — suggesting that a border wall wouldn’t be much of a worry. The prosecution’s case against Guzman, a roughly 5½-foot figure
RETIRED astronaut Mark Kelly, who became a prominent gun-control advocate after his wife and former US Rep Gabrielle Giffords was shot in a failed assassination attempt, announced he will run to finish John McCain’s last term in the U.S. Senate. If he wins the Democratic nomination, Kelly would take on Republican Martha McSally in what is expected to be one of the most closely contested Senate races of the 2020 election. Kelly described himself as an independent-minded centrist who will take a scientist’s data-driven approach to solving problems such as climate change, wage stagnation and health care affordability. “You see a lot of partisanship in Washington and a lot of polarisation, and to some extent we’ve created that,” Kelly said. “It’s going to take people who are more independent to fix it. Arizonans value independence.” If Kelly is nominated the race would pit the Navy veteran and astronaut against McSally, a trailblazing Air Force pilot, in the contest to replace McCain. McSally is a former Republican congresswoman who was appointed to McCain’s seat after she narrowly lost to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema last November in the race for outgoing Republican Jeff Flake’s seat. McSally leaned heavily on her record as the first woman to fly a combat mission, but she was hurt by her embrace of President Donald Trump.
NOTORIOUS Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, pictured in 2017, was convicted of drug-trafficking yesterday. whose nickname translates to “Shorty,” included the testimony of several turncoats and other witnesses. Among them were Guzman’s former Sinaloa lieutenants, a computer encryption expert and a Colombian cocaine supplier who underwent extreme plastic surgery to disguise his appearance. One Sinaloa insider described Mexican workers getting contact highs while packing cocaine into thousands of jalapeno cans — shipments that totaled 25 to 30 tons of cocaine worth $500 million each year. Another testified how Guzman sometimes acted as his own sicario, or hitman, punishing a Sinaloan who dared to work for another cartel by kidnapping him, beating and shooting him and having his men bury the victim while he was still alive, gasping for air.
The defence case lasted just half an hour. Guzman’s lawyers did not deny his crimes as much as argue he was a fall guy for government witnesses who were more evil than he was. In closing arguments, defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman urged the jury not to believe government witnesses who “lie, steal, cheat, deal drugs and kill people.” US Attorney Richard Donoghue called the conviction “a victory for the American people who suffered so much” while the defendant poured poison over the borders. He expected Guzman to get life without parole. “It is a sentence from which there is no escape and no return,” Donoghue told a news conference outside the courthouse, through snow and sleet. He added: “There are those who say the war on drugs is not
worth fighting. Those people are wrong.” Ray Donovan, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York office, said the case underscored Guzman’s true colors, showing that “the real Chapo is a ruthless killer and manipulator.” Lichtman said the defence “fought like complete savages” and will appeal the case. “No matter who the defendant is, you still have to fight to the death.” Upon hearing the verdict, Guzman was “as cool as a cucumber,” Lichtman added. “Honest to god, we were more upset than he was.” Deliberations were complicated by the trial’s vast scope. Jurors were tasked with making 53 decisions about whether prosecutors had proven different elements of the case.
WIRED TO WIN: WIRE FOX TERRIER IS WESTMINSTER BEST IN SHOW NEW YORK Associated Press
A WIRE fox from Brazil who’s won big in Europe became America’s top dog last night, beating out a crowd-pleasing longhaired dachshund and popular Sussex spaniel. There were some boos — along with modest cheers — at Madison Square Garden when judge Peter Green pointed at the sevenyear-old King. “It doesn’t get any better than that,” handler Gabriel Rangel said. The win was hardly a surprise. Wire fox terriers have won 15 times at the nation’s most prestigious dog show, far more than any other breed (Scottish terriers, with eight). Green is a renowned figure in the dog world, especially for his work with terriers. He’s previously picked King as the winner at other shows. “I look at King, he’s like a beautiful painting, a piece of art,” Rangel said earlier in the day. “The way he stands and performs, he’s the whole package.” A Havanese named Bono came in second among the more than 2,800 dogs who entered here.
KING, a wire fox terrier, poses for photographs after winning Best in Show at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Also in the final ring were Bean the Sussex spaniel, Burns the longhaired dachshund, Wilma the boxer and Baby Lars the bouviers des Flandres. The fan favorites at the Garden were clearly Bean and Burns. Chants of “Bean! Bean! Bean!” bounced around the packed arena as the Sussex spaniel rounded the ring. And Burns drew loud cheers as his long hair flowed while circling the green carpet. There was a bit of dog show drama, too, at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club.
A day after earning a coveted spot in the final ring of seven, spirited Colton the schipperke was ruled ineligible for best in show. There was a conflict of interest — Green’s longtime partner has co-owned dogs with one of Colton’s co-owners. Colton was allowed to run around the ring, then was excused. Wagging his tail, King was completely in control under Rangel, who won for the third time at Westminster. Rangel teared up in the middle of the ring after the win, overwhelmed by the moment and the recognition from Green.