Independent Liberal Party (ILP) leader Jack Warner has testified that he turned a blind eye to apparent corrupt practices of his former cabinet colleagues while serving as a government minister.
Warner was testifying before Justice Robin Mohammed in the Port-of-Spain High Court, in his defence against a defamation lawsuit brought against him by former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, SC.
In cross-examining Warner, Ramlogan’s lawyer Avory Sinanan, SC, repeatedly asked Warner why he chose to make allegations against Ramlogan only after he broke his ties with the People’s Partnership coalition Government in 2013.
“Was it convenient for you to stay quiet?” Sinanan asked as he sought to challenge Warner’s defence to the lawsuit, namely, that he had a duty to inform the public of questionable government activity.
“It was prudent. There is a difference,” Warner responded.
Sinanan: “Is that not the height of opportunism?”
Warner: “I totally disagree with you.”
Sinanan: “You fabricated these statements in an effort to get political mileage.”
Warner: “No, sir. It was for the good of the country.”
Warner also repeatedly denied he had any animosity towards the former attorney general, saying the controversial statement he was being sued for related only to Ramlogan’s conduct in the run-up to the 2013 Local Government election.
Even as Ramlogan’s lawyers confronted him with excerpts of the statement made at an ILP meeting in October 2013 in which he described Ramlogan as “scandalous and dangerous,” Warner reiterated that he had no malice towards Ramlogan.
“Do you think he (Ramlogan) is fit for public office and for the position of attorney general?” Sinanan asked.
“Even up to today,” Warner said. His responses appeared to have caught Ramlogan off guard, who was smirking as he listened to Warner’s evidence in the courtroom.
“He is my friend of 20 years. Our friendship has waned but I still hold him in high esteem,” Warner said.
Ramlogan’s lawsuit centres around a statement made by Warner alleging that Ramlogan had acquired a significant property portfolio by corrupt means during his stint as AG.
Warner has contended that his claims, which he believed to be true at the time, were based on private conversations with Ramlogan. Ramlogan has provided evidence that he owns only four properties and he denies ever confiding in Warner.
Warner, who served in both Ministries of Works and Transport and National Security, resigned in April 2013 over allegations of bribery related to his role as then vice-president of Fifa. Warner went on to form his own political party, ILP, and retained his Chaguanas West seat in a by-election.
Ramlogan resigned in February after claims of witness tampering were made by Director of the Police Complaints Authority David West in relation to a separate defamation lawsuit against Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley. Police are still investigating that matter.
Ramlogan is also being represented by Kelvin Ramkisson, Gerald Ramdeen and Varun Debideen. Warner is being represented by Keith Scotland.
Mohammed is expected to deliver his judgement in the case on July 30.