Ramlogan, Ramdeen in custody

ONE day after appearing in court for misbehaviour in public office, former attorney general Anand Ramlogan was arrested by officers of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau (ACIB).

Ramlogan, along with Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen, were both at the ACIB office on Independence Square in Port of Spain for most of yesterday, while several houses and offices were searched by police.

Ramlogan was arrested at Piarco International Airport at 4 am while he was on his way to the British Virgin Island for a court matter where he is representing that country’s House Speaker Julian Willock in a civil matter. Ramdeen surrendered to police three hours later.

Ramlogan and Ramdeen are being questioned following allegations regarding payment of legal fees to attorneys while Ramlogan was attorney general. Ramdeen is an attorney working in Ramlogan’s Freedom Law Chambers. Another attorney is expected to appear in court today charged with an offence related to the payment of legal fees. In 2017, Ramlogan was charged with perverting the course of public justice and misbehaviour in public office after head of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) David West made certain allegations to the police. Ramlogan is currently on $350,000 bail in that matter and will return to court on July 9. Claims by the Opposition United National Congress (UNC), that these arrests are part of a political propaganda by the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM), have been rubbished by the latter.

Speaking with the media yesterday, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said the arrests of Ramlogan and Ramdeen were not about politics. He said as holder of the Office of the Attorney General he must respect the boundaries of that office.

He added that the matter is a “very serious” one but was under the purview of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the TT Police Service. He added: “I can confirm, however, the Office of the Attorney General has been very busy since this Government’s installation in ensuring that we discharge our duties with propriety and all materials that we find are referred to the relevant authorities for action. I think that is what is different on this occasion is that we have provided, with respect to a number of matters perhaps including this one, very fulsome information.”