By Samuel Sukhnandan
The government has leveled accusations against the opposition, alleging a “personal vendetta” against acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall specifically referenced the recent dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the retirement age of Hicken, which was thrown out by the High Court.
Speaking during his weekly program ‘Issues in the News’ on Tuesday evening, Attorney General Anil Nandlall criticized the opposition’s actions regarding the lawsuit, which was filed by APNU Member Carol Joseph.
The lawsuit contested the legality of extending the tenure of an acting Commissioner of Police.
Nandlall recalled a previous lawsuit filed by Executive Member of the PNC and Opposition MP, Christopher Jones, when Hicken was initially appointed to the position.
On that occasion, the challenge was unsuccessful.
In the recent case brought by Joseph, acting Chief Justice Roxane George dismissed the lawsuit after reviewing arguments from both sides.
The Chief Justice ruled that the statutory provisions applicable to a substantive Commissioner of Police also apply to an acting Commissioner of Police, as envisioned by the framers of the Constitution.
Clifton Hicken assumed the role of acting Commissioner of Police in March 2022 following the retirement of Nigel Hoppie.
Hicken, who reached the age of 55 years, the retirement age, last month, has been the subject of legal scrutiny regarding his tenure.