AfriKa CRY BLOOD

AT LEAST 25 witnesses will be called during the November 10 inquest into the death of I’Akobi Maloney.

Maloney’s death is one of two fatal incidents grabbing national attention that will be heard by the Coroner’s Court next month.

The other is the July 29, 2007 Joes River bus tragedy which will begin on November 17.

In Maloney’s case Coroner Faith Marshall-Harris is set to examine the deceased’s close relatives and his former co-workers at the Arawak Cement Plant and other witnesses deemed necessary by court as it probes the circumstances leading to the death. (more…)

A QUALITY BUILDING does not guarantee quality justice, says Independent Member of Parliament Hamilton Lashley.

Speaking yesterday during debate in the House of Assembly on a $10 million resolution to furnish the Halls of Justice building on Whitepark Road, The City, Lashley said this magnificent building should also reflect the quality of justice in this country.

He said in most cases, poor people got a bad deal in the justice system, with many accused and eventually convicted persons claiming to have been beaten by the police and forced to sign confession statements. (more…)

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Freundel Stuart says he will not do anything to undermine public confidence in the police force or the coroner.

He said he had “faith” in the Coroner’s Office which would begin its inquest into the death of I’Akobi Maloney on November 10.

Stuart, who was speaking during a $10 million resolution that would go towards some finishing touches for the Judicial Centre on Whitepark Road, made his position clear yesterday in the House of Assembly after the issue of the relationship between the police and the community was raised by the Member of Parliament for St Michael South-East, Hamilton Lashley. (more…)

by People’s Empowerment Party

ACCORDING TO A REPORT in THE NATION newspaper last Wednesday, Attorney-General Freundel Stuart cavalierly dismissed the People’s Empowerment Party’s call for an effort to be made to stage a demonstrably “independent” investigation into the death of I’Akobi Maloney by quipping: “Mr Comissiong was not down there [at the St Lucy scene of the death] as far as I am aware, and none of the people who are shouting were down there.”

Mr Stuart then proceeded to state that he had received a written report from the police on Maloney’s death; that there was “no recording of anything out of the ordinary” in the report; and that the normal course of events would follow, with the usual Coroner’s Inquest being held.

The PEP is disheartened that our new attorney-general is seemingly unwilling to think “outside of the box”, and to reach for the substance of justice, rather than its mere form. (more…)

by PHILLIPPE AIMEY

The Justice Committee announced yesterday that it has accumulated more than 5,000 signatures in support of its call for an independent investigation into the death of former I’Akobi Maloney.

Assisting the lobby group was Independent parliamentarian Hamilton Lashley who gathered more than 500 signatures from residents in The Pine and Wildey areas which he represents in the House of Assembly.

Lashley handed over the signatures following his arrival at Parliament yesterday to loud cheers from over 30 of the lobby group’s members who adorned him with ‘red, gold and green’ scarf, similar to the one he wore during the budget debate in July.

“I want people to know that this is not just names on paper,” Lashley said, “it has value that lends support to one of the most serious matters in the history of Barbados. (more…)