Attorney General says Meerabux appeal will fail

The Attorney General also took the opportunity to offer his comments on the Meerabux case. According to Smith, the Supreme Court justice who was recently removed from office by the Belize Advisory Council, is like every other citizen entitled to a judicial appeal. But that’s not to say his efforts will be successful.

Godfrey Smith, Attorney General

“It is my understanding that the evidence, or the material upon which the Advisory Council advised the Governor General, was based on misbehaviour in office as a judge, in relation to cases coming before him, but I don’t have all the details. I’m aware that that material, misbehaviour formed the basis of the removal.”

Ann-Marie Williams

“His lawyer is saying that he will make an application for judicial review. What will this mean for him?”

Godfrey Smith

“Speaking for myself, I think…I would personally consider it unfortunate, unfortunate from the point of view of the legal system, of the judicial system in Belize. I would like to think that I’m working very hard to rebuild confidence in the judiciary, to rebuild the feeling of independence, while at the same time ensuring that there is security of tenure. This kind of thing does not bode well. It is not good for the state of health of the judiciary. Having said that, this is not to say that any person, including a judge, whoever holds office, from the highest person in the land to the poorest person, is entitled to full due legal process. If after consulting with lawyers the judge feels that he wants to continue to challenge it, obviously he’s entitled to. He’s entitled to every means available to him to vindicate himself. My own hesitance and reluctance in relation to that course of conduct is that first of all I do not think it will succeed.”

Meerabux’s attorney, Kirk Anderson, has yet to disclose to the press the timing or nature of the appeal.