2 weeks ago, we showed you the stern resolution from the Bar Association opposing the re-appointment of the Justice of Appeal Samuel Awich. In a statement following that resolution, the Bar bashed Government saying that the sequence of events leading to Justice Awich's appointment would result in a "real likelihood of an appearance of bias".
The current President of the Bar Association is Eamon Courtenay, who is also one of the attorneys working for the Ashcroft Alliance which demanded that Awich recuse himself because of an alleged appearance of bias in the second BTL reacquisition case in October 2012.
In the House meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow reasoned that Courtenay is simply continuing the agenda as an agent of the Ashcroft Alliance with this latest outcry from the Bar. Here's how he explained it:
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"The president of the bar who is a (I don't say this in any bad way) well-known long standing member, activist, minister of the People's United Party - found reason as an advocate and because of a certain case that was before the Supreme Court to complain about that appointment and asking that the judge recuse himself from the matter because his appointment was faulty and there was bias. The court of appeal refused and they went to the CCJ and the CCJ scolded them and sent them packing."
Well, Courtenay heard his comments in the House, and today when he was asked about the Bar's opposition to Awich today, Courtenay rejected the characterization that he was sweating fever for the Ashcroft Alliance as president of the Bar:
Eamon Courtenay, President of the Bar
"I don't usually listen to the Prime Minister. I don't inflict wounds on myself, I don't put myself to voluntary suffering. It was approximately 4 years ago that the Bar Association of Belize pass a resolution complaining about the failure for the delivery of judgments by all judges. Chief Justice Conteh was Chief Justice at the time. After we did that we gave a deadline for compliance. That deadline came and it was shown that Justice Awich was the judge who was not in compliance with our request that they deliver judgments. The Bar pass a resolution at that time that he resigned from office or be removed. I was not president of the Bar and I had no case before the court of appeal on which Justice Awich was sitting. The Bar from 4 years ago was doing that. When the Prime Minister decide to appoint Justice to the Court of Appeal two years ago, the Bar Association passed a resolution opposing it and said that Justice Awich lack the wherewithal to do it. I was not the president of the bat at that time and I had no case in thecourt of appeal with the nationalization in which Justice Awich was sitting. So for the Prime Minister to say that I am sweating fever for the Ashcroft group because we lost the case in which Justice Awich is involved is a comprehensive and categorical lie."
"The Bar Association has taken a principle on consistent position on this matter. The Prime Minister is the one who has appointed Justice Awich and I want to make this very clear every resolution passed by the bar on Justice Awich matter was unanimous. There was one in which one member says he would abstain. Every single resolution passed by the Bar Association on Justice Awich was approved by friends and family of Dean Barrow. None of them love him so much that they will vote against it. His brother has not done it, his nieces have not done it, his law partner has not done it - none of them have voted in favor of Justice Awich. He is in a majority of one. The Prime Minister needs to stop being personal. He needs to stop attacking people when they disagree with him. As far as I am concern he is a Penner-loving, Castro-hugging Prime Minister."
Awich will serve as a Justice of Appeal for the next 7 years.
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