Former Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson.
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By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
ATTORNEY General Allyson Maynard-Gibson defended the judiciary after Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage blamed the body for the country's crime problem earlier this week.
In a statement on Thursday night, Mrs Maynard-Gibson maintained the government's respect and appreciation for "hard working judges".
Her comments are in stark contrast to the condemnation levelled against the judiciary by Dr Nottage, who said judges were failing to impose stiffer penalties and not properly enforcing laws that are on the books.
"It is the responsibility of police, prosecution and defence counsel to assure that cases are properly investigated and prosecuted and if disappointed with the outcome of a matter, to utilise the appellate process," Mrs Maynard-Gibson said.
"The Government of The Bahamas respects and upholds the Rule of Law. This has been demonstrated in many ways including our significant investment in infrastructure to improve efficiency in the administration of justice. We acknowledge, respect and appreciate our hardworking Judges."
Dr Nottage has come under a firestorm of criticism over his comments in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.
His comments came during a bloody week, which saw seven people killed over a five-day span from September 11.
The Bain and Grants Town MP said that some magistrates give lighter sentences to criminals because the accused is someone in society’s “good son”. He added that it was hard to believe that some judges live in the same country and still only give criminals “a slap on the wrist” when they appear before them.
On Thursday, Bar Association President Elsworth Johnson branded the national security minister a “coward” who blamed everyone but himself for crime.
Mr Johnson suggested that Dr Nottage should “stick to gynecology” because he obviously lacked the “innovation and the intellectual aptitude” to solve the nation’s crippling crime problem.
Comments
HarryWyckoff 8 years, 7 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
banker 8 years, 7 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 7 months ago
I RESPECT WHAT BJ SAID ............ HE BLAMED THE CJ AND AG FOR THE MESS THAT THE COURTS ARE IN .................. HE IS NOT KILLING PEOPLE ON THE STREETS, THE POLICE ARE CATCHING MANY OF THE KILLERS, DEALERS AND ROBBERS ....... THEN THE SHIT STARTS ONCE THE COUT CASES BEGIN
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH BJ CALLING OUT THE AG AND CJ ...... THEY DESERVE IT.
The_Oracle 8 years, 7 months ago
Pot calling the kettle black. They have all undermined the rule of law, decency in public service.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 7 months ago
Well ........... it is clear who has Perry's back ....... hey????????? BOL I agree with you ........ the whole Cabinet is culpable here .......... SIGH
Nativeson 8 years, 7 months ago
@sheeprunner12....Finally someone on here with sense....
FactsEvidenceProof 8 years, 7 months ago
Dr Nottage knows that the public has no confidence in the judicial system and more especially lawyers. Johnson's comments are disrespectful, immature and ignorant. We all live and work in communities despite the fact that they are not always safe and to suggest that the judiciary is the only sector that are ill-equipped to cope in existing circumstances is termed blind ignorance.
TruePeople 8 years, 7 months ago
PLP seriously needs to hire some Public Relations people. This party cannot publicly agree on anything it seems, not even on keeping quiet!!
Sickened 8 years, 7 months ago
Sickening.
BMW 8 years, 7 months ago
Our biggest problem is slick lawyers and a judiciary that gets very little help from the Government.
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