'Dudus'

Prime Minister Bruce Golding made it clear yesterday in Parliament that the Government would not go into any details regarding the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

According to the prime minister, both the United States (US) and Jamaica have agreed that they would not discuss the matter publicly.

Golding had pointed out that the US extradition request for Coke was in contravention of the Jamaican law.

But Opposition Member of Parliament Ronald Thwaites would have none of it. He questioned whether there was any issue that had to do with the laws of Jamaica and their observance that was beyond "the highest court of the land".

"The request may be in contradiction to our laws. I am asking how is that so, that cannot be beyond Parliament to do," Thwaites protested.

However, Chuck remained firm that details into the extradition request would not be debated in Gordon House.

"It is not for trial in the Parliament. If the prime minister indicates that there is a breach of domestic law why are we inquiring further?" Chuck questioned.

"Because we need to know. We are the ultimate arbiters of the law," Thwaites replied.

"Sit down"

Attempts by Thwaites to continue his questions were met with shouts of "sit down" from Government members.

Dr Peter Phillips, who tabled a number of questions in Parliament, asked yesterday whether the prime minister was briefed about the investigation by the US authorities when he assumed office.

Chuck intervened, saying, "Any answer to that question would be prejudicial to the party (Coke), the requested person."

Despite the Speaker's comments, Golding responded to the query, explaining that he first received information about the extradition request a day before the US government submitted it.

According to Golding, the security forces informed him on August 24, 2009, that a special team from the US would arrive in Jamaica shortly to deliver the request.

The Opposition's concern that the justice minister was taking too long to deal with the extradition request for Coke was rubbished by Golding, who argued that many cases in the past extended beyond three months.

He cited a number of cases under the previous administration that remained for months before there was any closure.

Meanwhile, the prime minister reported that since his administration took office 31 requests for extradition had been granted.

The cases include 18 for drug offences, nine for murder, three for fraud and one for assault.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com