The APNU+AFC reiterates that the report of the Committee of Privileges dated January 24, 2022, which recommended the suspension of eight Opposition parliamentarians is unconstitutional, null, void, and of no legal effect.
According to a report in the Stabroek News, the eight Opposition MPs through their attorneys are asking the court to issue an order allowing them to be reinstated in the National Assembly until they have been afforded the right to be heard before the Committee of Privileges on the motion; an order quashing the report laid in the House; a conservatory order or injunction suspending the effect, operation and or validity of the report pending the determination of the fixed date application.
They are also asking the court to determine that the report breached the principles of Natural Justice since they were not guaranteed their rights prescribed under Article 144 (8) of the Constitution.
The House voted to suspend Christopher Jones, Ganesh Mahipaul, Sherod Duncan, and Natasha Singh-Lewis for four consecutive sittings while Annette Ferguson, Viceroy Jordan, Tabita Sarabo-Halley, and Maureen Philadelphia were suspended for six consecutive sittings. On December 29, 2021, Opposition Parliamentarians fought heroically to stop the passage of the controversial Natural Resource Fund (NRF) amendment bill.
The bill which was first tabled and passed under the APNU+AFC Government was amended by the PPP Government to include several clauses that are in contravention of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and the Constitution of Guyana.
In April, Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones and trade unionist Norris Witter moved to the High Court to challenge the legality of the NRF Act. Jones and Witter, through their attorneys Roysdale Forde, S.C, and Selwyn Pieters are seeking judicial review and relief under the Constitution of Guyana.
At a press conference on the day following the controversial passage in the National Assembly, House Speaker Manzoor Nadir remained adamant that the bill had been legally passed.
The eight MPs have since filed a fixed date application with urgent notice in the High Court last Wednesday seeking several declarations from the court, including that their right to a fair hearing was violated. The case is slated to come up before Justice Damone Younge on August 4, 2022.
More, In The Ring.
