State witness flies out amid safety concerns

JAMAICA-born British Queen’s Counsel Vincent Nelson left the country earlier today.

Newsday was told that Nelson left TT this morning, one day after he appeared in court on three charges of conspiring to commit money laundering, misbehaviour in public office and conspiracy to commit an act of corruption.

He is on $100,000 bail which covers the three charges and his attorneys, British QC Tom Allen and Keith Scotland, on Thursday urged Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle not to impose any restrictions on his bail to give him the opportunity to leave the jurisdiction until he is needed.

Allen disclosed during the court hearing on Thursday that Nelson was safer abroad.

Nelson arrived in TT on Monday and has agreed to a plea deal with the prosecution in exchange for his testimony against former attorney general Anand Ramlogan and UNC Senator Gerald Ramdeen.

Allen said there was no issue with Nelson returning since he has done so numerous times since 2017 when he agreed to give statements to police which incriminated himself, despite risks to his personal safety and his medical circumstances.

He said Nelson has engaged in an “unprecedented level” of cooperation with the prosecution and would be safer out of the jurisdiction.

“He would be safer abroad. There is a serious risk to him remaining in this jurisdiction,” Allen said, pointing out that Nelson was a key prosecution witness and there was no public interest other than to allow him the freedom to leave and return when needed.

He also said Nelson, though in remission for prostate cancer, needed access to his doctors.

Nelson has been charged with conspiring with Ramlogan and Ramdeen in connection with a series of financial transactions and alleged rewards involving legal fees paid to him for representation in State briefs, which he obtained while Ramlogan was attorney general.

He intends to plead guilty and Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard,SC, on Thursday told Earle-Caddle he as invoking sections of the recently-proclaimed Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion and Plea Agreement) Act to have the matter transferred to the High Court, in 14 days, where Nelson will plead guilty at a plea agreement hearing.

Ramlogan and Ramdeen were arrested on Wednesday by the Anti-Corruption Investigative Bureau.

Their homes and offices were searched by police on Wednesday night and boxes of documents retrieved.

Ramdeen completed his interview late Thursday and police were expected to approach the DPP for advice on the laying of charges later that night. However, this did not take place since Ramlogan’s interview was not completed as he complained of feeling unwell. He was taken to seek medical treatment.

His interview was expected to begin this morning.

Also this morning, Ramdeen’s attorneys issued a pre-action protocol letter to the police questioning the senator’s detention beyond 48 hours and giving police until midday to file charges or release him.

He too complained of feeling unwell this morning and was taken to hospital a short while ago.