Page 9 - Steadroy Benjamin News Today

By Kadeem Joseph kadeem.joseph@antiguaobserver.com The Minister of Public Safety and Attorney General, Steadroy Benjamin is pledging that “steps will be taken…

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Hon. Steadroy Benjamin says moves are afoot to ensure greater accountability for news outfits, especially when they

By Orville Williams Despite a request from Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin to increase the fines for Covid-19 protocol violations – including the breaking of…

AG says misconduct allegations will not be taken lightly Spread the love Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin said that he will not be taking allegations made against the Chief Magistrate and several officers of the court lightly. The AG said a letter to the editor published by an online news agency was recently brought to his attention. The letter alleged misconduct by officers of the court, divisive behaviour and misappropriation of funds. Benjamins said the matter will be thoroughly investigat...

Attorney General Hon. Steadroy Benjamin will be urging his cabinet colleagues to support an increase in fines for breaching COVID-19 safety protocols. He insis

Barbuda falls in line with 8 pm to 5 am curfew on the mainland The Barbuda Council has abandoned plans to implement a 12 pm to 5 am curfew that was expected to take effect yesterday. The council has now agreed to fall in line with the 8 pm to 5 am curfew currently in place on the mainland. This after Prime Minister Gaston Browne wrote to the Secretary of the Barbuda Council, Paul Nedd, citing that the council’s decision to partially shut down the sister isle was unlawful. And after hours of d...

Bar Association not in support of ‘judge alone’ trials The Head of the Antigua and Barbuda Bar Association is insisting that the government should look to retrofit the courts to observe Covid-19 protocols as one possible solution to the resumption of jury trials in the High Court. The government is currently exploring ways to resume jury trials that were suspended indefinitely due to the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the options that is now on the table is the proposed Criminal Procedure (Trial...

Splitting police from the fire brigade is still on the cards Spread the love Public Safety Minister Steadroy Benjamin says talks regarding separating the Fire Department from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda are still on the cards, however, there are several factors to be considered before a final determination is made. The Fire Department has been pushing to achieve this goal for a number of years. Many believe a separation would result in better training for firefighters and fast...

Legal move makes it easier for indigent prisoners to access bail An amendment to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’s (ECSE) civil procedures rules is making it easier for prisoners on remand who cannot afford legal representation, to apply for bail on their own behalf. Attorney-at-law Wendel Robinson told Observer that, under normal circumstances, a prisoner who is on remand pending the outcome of his or her matter, would be required to pay a lawyer between EC$2,500 and EC$3,500 to apply to...

Union ‘surprised’ port matter was brought before the Industrial Court Spread the love The Industrial Court has been asked to resolve a dispute between employees and the management at the Antigua Port Authority. On Monday, an emergency hearing was held at the court, after Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin filed memoranda, asking the court to make a judgement on whether port workers are entitled to take action over unpaid annual bonuses and advances. In December 2020, the workers, through th...