AfriKa CRY BLOOD

THE JUSTICE COMMITTEE has reiterated its call for an independent investigation into the death of 23-year-old chemical engineer Ras I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney on June 17, 2008.

Coroner Faith Marshall-Harris ruled that his death was due to misadventure, that there was no evidence to suggest Maloney had been unlawfully killed by police nor that he had committed suicide.

Maloney is alleged to have jumped off a 50-foot cliff at Landlock, St Lucy, as he was about to be escorted to Holetown Police Station by police.

Last Sunday night, the Justice Committee staged the launch of a DVD chronicling the events of the coroner’s inquest, and a reflection of the former Barbados Exhibitioner’s life as outlined by his mother, Maggie, and brother, Mandela. (more…)

Only days before the coroner returns her verdict into the unnatural death of 23 year old Chemical Engineer I’Akobi Maloney, representatives of the Justice Committee are questioning the lack of attention given to a petition that was submitted to the Hon Prime Minister David Thompson and the Attorney General Fruendel Stuart.

The petition, submitted prior to the start of the actual inquest in November of 2008, was signed by 5200 Barbadians and called for a private and independent team of investigators to fully examine all of the evidence in the untimely death of the Barbados Exhibition winner. It was hoped that a team or approach in that manner would have the appropriate transparency necessary to adequately rule out any foul play.

From the many calls, letters to the media, and general public conversations it is very clear that there have been a number of questions consistently raised about the case, including some about the status and subsequent impact of the petition.

Ayesha Delpeche, member of the Justice Committee, voiced concern over the lack of communication surrounding the petition.

“Throughout the entire inquest, we have received no reply from either the Prime Minister or the Attorney General. The case of the tragic loss of I’Akobi Maloney has been in the media countless times, brought up in Parliament, and has gained the attention of law schools overseas, yet the petition has not been addressed at all.” (more…)

ATTORNEYS Andrew Pilgrim (right) and David Comissiong (second right) speaking to Mandela Maloney, brother of deceased I’Akobi Maloney, as a friend and his mother Marguerita Maloney look on.

DID police officers engage in profiling when they encountered I’Akobi Maloney, a six-foot Rastafarian standing alone on a secluded cliff?

Was there some level of aggression or conflict between them and that Rastaman?

Was he pushed or was he trying to escape?

These were scenarios which attorneys for the Maloney family, Andrew Pilgrim and David Comissiong, submitted to coroner Faith Marshall-Harris during their addresses, when the inquest into the 23 year-old man’s death resumed in the coroner’s court yesterday.

They asked the coroner to reject the evidence of the two police officers Sergeant Wingrove Headley and Constable Anthony Walkes who were with Maloney when he allegedly jumped off a 50-ft cliff to his death.

Comissiong told the court that given that the police had received a report about a boat, a Rastaman and drugs in the area that it was fair to assume they went to Land Lock, St Lucy, “all keyed up”. (more…)

To: All Media Houses

At their request, Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, Q.C., M.P., met with a delegation from the Rastafarian Community of Barbados at her Bridgetown Office earlier today to discuss a number of matters, including the inquest into the death of Ras I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney.

After discussions and after reviewing the preamble of the petition through which they are seeking justice, as regards the death of Ras I’Akobi and at the invitation of the delegation, Miss Mottley issues the following statement:

“While we know that there is the Coroner’s Inquest, we believe that the request for an “independent investigation” was a reasonable one that ought to have been entertained, especially since it will not prejudice the outcome one way or the other but merely seeks to ensure that there is fairness.

“The social fabric of our society will not benefit from an environment of doubt prevailing in this matter,” she added.

Miss Mia A. Mottley, Q.C., M.P.,
Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition

by Enricco Bohne (www.barbadosadvocate.com)

This was the plea yesterday at the I’Akobi Youth Resource Centre in Tweedside Road as the Justice Committee formed to promote, protect and defend the late Ras Tacuma I’Akobi Maloney’s case, met with various media houses to publicise the status of Maloney’s case.

Tacuma, whose demise at Landlock, St. Lucy on June 17th was met with much controversy, was represented by Committee members KudosSage I (Secretary of the Justice Committee), Brother Heru (Director of I’Akobi Youth Resource Centre and member of the Justice Committee) as well as Ras Lumumba (Priest of Church of Haile Selassie I), and Tacuma’s brother Mandela Maloney.  Also present was the mother of I’Akobi and other Rastafari Elders. (more…)

by Peter Thorne (www.cbc.bb)

Secretary of the Justice Committee, Ras KudosSage I, called for an independent investigation to be conducted into the death of former Barbados Exhibition winner and Engineer, I’Akobi Maloney.

He lauded the late Rastafarian as a man of exemplary character and moral standing. He says the Committee will resist any attempt to vilify Maloney’s character and his adherence to standards of excellence.

He made the call at a news conference at the I’Akobi Youth Resource Centre at Carrington Village in St. Michael. (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…)

by PEP (www.nationnews.com)

THE PEOPLE’S EMPOWERMENT PARTY (PEP) is calling upon Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin and Attorney-General Freundel Stuart to carry out an independent investigation into the “mysterious” death of 23-year-old I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney, by bringing in police investigators from a jurisdiction outside of Barbados to take charge of the probe.

I’Akobi Tacuma Maloney, a young man of impeccable reputation, died on June 17 at Landlocks, near Cove Bay, St Lucy, while in the presence and custody of several officers of the Royal Barbados Police Force. Spokespersons of the force have since alleged that police officers had interviewed Mr Maloney, before he suddenly and inexplicably ran and jumped off a cliff to his death.

Where a death has occurred in such circumstances, (more…)

Rastafari Community of Barbados
July 2008

In pursuit of social justice and the elimination of further Rastafari profiling, we, the Rastafari Community of Barbados, clearly publish the following demands and collective interests: (more…)