Former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday’s conviction and sentence have been squashed. The Court of Appeal ordered a new trial at the Magistrate’s Court before a different Magistrate. Mr. Panday was sentenced to two years in jail and fined by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls after being found guilty of not declaring a Million Dollar London bank account to the Integrity Commission.

The Court of Appeal comprising Justices Margot Warner, Ivor Archie and Paula Mae Weekes ruled that there was sufficient evidence to convince an informed observer that there was an apparent bias by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls. Therefore the sentence and conviction should be squashed. What this means now is that Mr. Panday is still charged with the offence. The Court of Appeal also ordered a retrial at the Magistrate’s court before a new Magistrate. Furthermore, Justice Warner ruled that bail would continue.

Source: trinidadandtobagonews.com