By Saskia Warrick
Attorney General Anil Nandlall has weighed in on the case seeking the removal of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo from the National Assembly, deeming it premature.
In February, Opposition Parliamentarians Christopher Jones and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley initiated legal action to oust Vice President Jagdeo, alleging his absence from 11 consecutive sittings.
However, Nandlall asserts that the matter should first be addressed with the Speaker of the National Assembly rather than the judiciary.
According to Nandlall, a motion must be tabled in the National Assembly to establish the truth before resorting to legal action.
He highlights that the absence of this procedural step makes the case vulnerable to failure.
Referring to Chapter XIII of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, Nandlall explains the requirement for members to notify the Clerk if unable to attend sittings.
Failure to do so may lead to the vacation of the member’s seat after a specific period of consecutive absences.
Nandlall expresses confidence that without following due process, the case seeking Jagdeo’s removal will not succeed.