PORT-OF-SPAIN – The London-based Privy Council has ruled against two businessmen, described as financiers of the United National Congress (UNC), who were seeking to avoid extradition to the United States to face more than 90 charges relating to the rehabilitation of the Piarco International Airport.
The Privy Council, the island’s highest court, refused to grant leave to Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson, to appeal the matter to the British Law Lords.
Their attorneys had filed written submissions with the Privy Council last month after the Court of Appeal here dismissed the appeal challenging the extradition.
The Law Lords had indicated then that they would study the written submissions, and if need be, they would summon the parties to hear oral arguments. But the Privy Council never did, ending the the two businessmen’s four-year battle to avoid extradition.
Newly-appointed Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, is expected to sign the warrant of surrender for both men to be taken by United States marshals to Miami to be arraigned.
Earlier this month, the lawyers for both men sent a letter to Ramlogan asking him to block their extradition to the United States where they are wanted on criminal charges.
They argued that extradition proceedings were “unjust and oppressive”.
“If they were extradited to the United States, they may be incarcerated and unable to return to Trinidad when the case is eventually called before the Privy Council,” the letter stated.
But Ramlogan said he had would allow the courts to rule on the issue and would not intervene at this stage, “given the fact that the matter is before the Judicial Committee of the Her Majesty’s Privy Council and I feel the law ought to take its course”.
Ferguson and Galbaransingh had been on TT$1 million (US$166 000) bail since their arrest in 2006.
(CMC)
