FOR his pathetic functioning, the records would justify that attorney-at-law John Jeremie, without shilly-shallying, is the most ineffectual or hopeless human being who has ever held the rank of Attorney General (AG) in this country.

On many occasions I have outlined several reasons why the Caribbean Court of Justice must not be allowed to rear its ugly head and also why the masses must do everything both physically and psychologically, within their powers to retain the Privy Council.

The landmark ruling last week by the Privy Council setting aside the judgement of both the High Court and the Court of Appeal in the Maha Sabha’s radio licence case reaffirms my confidence in the old colonial masters to dispense justice without fear or favour.

AG JOHN JEREMIE

NOEL GARCIA

As Attorney General, Jeremie is entrusted with the responsibility to direct the Cabinet on all legal issues and by his oath of office, he’s committed to preserve the citizens’ rights enshrined in the constitution. Notwithstanding his faithfulness to the Balisier, he has the responsibility to protect the public interest.

Therefore, his position should have been similar to that of the then Permanent Secretary Emmanuel “Hurricane” George, with the ultimate goal being transparent and fair.

Sometimes I wonder how these self-proclaimed high-ranking People’s National Movement (PNM) role models, the likes of Louis Lee Sing, who masquerades as master of morals and ethics, sleep at night and why are they always eager to pontificate, criticising and condemning the sufferers in the ghetto and lesser mortals like yours truly.

My presumption is if the Attorney General does not take his responsibilities in the Cabinet seriously and counsel his peers without the balisier blinkers, then the Privy Council would have several other matters pending of a similar nature.

The mauvais langue in the legal circles is that very shortly two government agencies would be dragged before the court for attempting to violate the right of citizens.

Senior Counsel John Jeremie and the members of Cabinet must be vigilant that they are not being “set-up” by Housing Development Corporation big-wig, secretly referred to by his colleagues as Noel “Lover Boy” Garcia, while the residents in East, Port of Spain have dubbed him as the “Father of Divide and Rule” and a hotshot of half truths and innuendoes.

AG Jeremie must also be guided by the statement of Sheryl-Anne Haynes, acting head of the Town and Country Planning Division, that the land in Chatham has no approval, so ALCOA’s president Randal Overbey has no legitimacy talking about moving full speed ahead with his aluminum smelter plant project.

Citizens would certainly remember the hue and cry from the legal fraternity when, out of the blue, Jeremie was awarded the enviable rank of senior counsel.

Recently he has been keeping a very low profile, and since he might have had some time to reconsider his professional ethics, it would be in his best interest to advise the Cabinet without his Balisier thinking cap, so as to avoid the international humiliation the country experienced in the Maha Sabha matter last week.

Another bitter battle pending is the Chief Justice issue and although the AG and the DPP are involved in the matter, it’s in the best interest of the country if this matter is mediated instead of litigated.

Obviously, by washing their dirty linen in public, it would further tarnish or blemish -- and erode the masses’ confidence -- in the judiciary and by extension, the criminal justice system.

To the sufferers, perception is reality.

By the action of the exemplars in the society, they are conscious that the criminal justice system has failed so far to withstand the test of time, as it is a fact that the poor and underprivileged only get cowboy justice in this town.

Instead of the Maha Sabaha’s licence dispute reaching the Privy Council, the matter was ideal for mediation since, it was a civil matter that had serious ramification because of our multi-ethnic, multi-religious society.

This brings me to the present state of affairs governing the Mediation Board and the mechanism implemented to certify mediators.

Imagine the Mediation Board is not willing to certify the post-graduates from the University of the West Indies, although they have attained the 80 hours practical requirement.

Yet the big shots are advertising their expensive four-day programme and promising accreditation from the Mediation Board.

Apparently the mediator-controllers are discriminating against certain people since the legislation was passed in Parliament with a hefty payday for mediators and the court has implemented the new rules that all civil High Court matters are to be mediated.

If the Mediation mafia thinks that I would genuflect to get their accreditation to make a meaningful contribution to my community, that is their business. For I am certain that over the years I have brought happiness to many humble folks who benefited from my intervention and mediation skills as they have been able to gain empowerment and recognition.

Therefore, when I applied for certifications, it was not motivated by greed for money or to rival the “Johnnies-come-lately”, whose concern is to monopolise due to their failure as successful lawyers.

Without being boastful, I am certain that I have done more mediation cases than even the members of the board.

So if they want to discriminate against the humble laymen who are not part of their inner circle or Mafia, then it would only justify what members of the grass-roots already know: that the PNM only implements policies when the big shot folks can control the lion’s share of the pie.

Certified or not, I would continue to be a mediator for the sufferers in the ghetto and I am certain that no Mediation Board could deprive me from my blessing from Allah.