JACK WARNER was yesterday condemned by a High Court judge who said that the Independent Liberal Party political leader should be investigated by the Integrity Commission (IC).
Justice Frank Seepersad made the pronouncement that Warner, when he was a Minister in the People’s Partnership, was given free secretarial services by a man who was then given a contract by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) South Africa 2010 Ltd in the staging of the Women’s Under 17 World cup tournament. The LOC was chaired by Warner.
The man, Immamudin Baksh and his company — Graphix Advantage Ltd (GAL) sued the Football Federation (TTFF), Warner and LOC, for $1.2 million after he was not paid. On the issue of Baksh providing free secretarial services for Warner who at the tine was Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Justice Seepersad yesterday said, “Inappropriate behaviour in public office has to be condemned and cannot be tolerated.”
The LOC, which at the time was chaired by Warner, was established by the TTFF — which at the time had as its Special Adviser Jack Warner — for the sole purpose of staging the World Cup tournament in TT. The LOC was yesterday ordered by Seepersad to pay GAL $1.2. GAL was contracted by the LOC to erect signs, posters and banners at stadiums and the airport, for hosting of the tournament.
The judge found that more than the fact that Baksh’s GAL was not paid $1.2 million, he worked free of charge for Warner who was a member of the Government. Such free services to a member of the executive arm of government, the judge added, warrants an investigation by the IC. At the trial, both Warner and Baksh testified.
In a nine-page judgment yesterday, Seepersad stated that LOC was a company set up by TTFF solely for organising the women’s World Cup. Baksh was working for Warner as his secretary. The PP Government came into power in May 2010 and Baksh claimed that in August of that year, it was Warner who asked Baksh to provide banners and posters at all stadia in the country for the event. Baksh stated that Warner told him, “I am LOC!”
Warner contended, however, that it was the LOC who contracted Baksh’s GAL as evidenced by invoices and delivery notes addressed to the LOC. During the trial, Warner was cross-examined by Senior Counsel Hendrickson Seunath who represented GAL. Attorney Keith Scotland and Owen Hinds Jr represented the LOC and Warner respectively.
In his judgment, Seepersad found that given Warner’s reputation in football and his relationship with Baksh who worked for him gratuitously (free), it could not be said that he (Warner) did not enter into a contract with Baksh.
Seepersad said the court felt compelled to voice its alarm at the employment arrangement between Baksh and Warner. Justice Seepersad said public officers must jealously guard the integrity of their office and the acceptance of gratuitous labour by holders of high office, is unacceptable.
“Such arrangements undermine the integrity and independence of the office,” Justice Seepersad said. “A perception is thereby created that such arrangements are reflective of a situation where the provider of gratuitous service expects and/or receives remuneration in other unconventional ways.”
The judge did not order Warner to pay Baksh but instead ordered the TTFF and LOC, to pay the $1,262,413.19, with interest. The Integrity Commission last month requested that President Anthony Carmona appoint a tribunal to investigate Warner’s income, assets and liabilities, by virtue of him being a former minister and currently a Member of Parliament.