CJ Archie responds to allegations, says "false and irresponsible"

Chief Justice Ivor Archie
Chief Justice Ivor Archie

Chief Justice Ivor Archie has broken his silence on some of the allegations against him.

He says it is “false and irresponsible” to suggest that he discussed with his fellow judges the hiring of any private security firm to provide personal security for them or that he recommended convicted fraudster Dillian Johnson for state housing.

Archie has, however, admitted that he recommended “some needy and deserving” people to the Housing Development Corporation in 2015.

His admissions and clarifications were contained in a brief statement signed by court protocol and information manager Alicia Carter-Fisher which was e-mailed to the media yesterday.

It comes the day after the Law Association described his continued silence on the allegations about his conduct as “reckless.”

The association on Thursday called on Archie to address the allegations. It said it had read with “increasing alarm” the allegations of improper conduct against Archie directly and “by implication” the head of the Judiciary.

“Of particular concern is the allegation that he has intervened to obtain preferential treatment in the distribution of public housing to his acquaintances,” the statement said.

The association also said it was “even more troubled” by the failure of the Chief Justice to respond “with alacrity” to the allegations, which it described as “damaging.”

“The Chief Justice’s steadfast refusal to refute these and other accusations levelled against him is unacceptable and incomprehensible,” the association added.

Yesterday’s statement from the Judiciary, which was titled “The Honourable Chief Justice Responds,” said he wished to make specific statements on matters already ventilated publicly.

Only the three points were addressed in the statement.

It said specialised units of the protective services and the judiciary’s security unit were the only entities responsible for assessing and implementing arrangements for the personal security of judges and magistrates.

“It is therefore false, and indeed irresponsible, to suggest that at any judge’s meeting the Chief or any other judge discussed the retention of any private security firm for the purpose of proving the said personal security,” the statement said.

It also said that in 2015, Archie did forward names of people to the HDC for consideration, but at no time did he ever recommend Johnson.

“It is patently untrue and appears to be purposeful mischief making for one to suggest otherwise,” the statement said.

“More recently there has been discussion in the public domain about an attack on Dillian Johnson. The Office of the Chief Justice expects the relevant authorities will urgently conduct a necessary and thorough investigation into this incident.

“This is all that the Chief Justice is at liberty to say at this time,” the statement concluded.

Archie did not address specific claims being made by Johnson, nor has he admitted to being his friend.

Johnson has since claimed there is a plot to kill him. He was shot in the hand on December 3.

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