D.F.C. inquiry can proceed rules C.J.

For those who thought the commission of inquiry into the Development Finance Corporation might be thwarted by the D.F.C.’s supposed confidentiality regulations, there is good news tonight. Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh delivered a judgment today which clears the way for the commission to proceed. The C.J. ruled that the Commission of Inquiry appointed by Prime Minister Said Musa to investigate the affairs of the D.F.C. has powers under section nine of the Commission of Inquiry Act to order D.F.C. to produce books, records and accounts necessary for the carrying out of the inquiry. D.F.C. Commission Chairman, David Price, was present in court today for the judgment. Other members of the commission include Chief Magistrate Herbert Lord, who was appointed by the government of Belize, and Merlene Bailey Martinez, appointed by the trade unions, which were a key force in getting the commission appointed as part of an agreement negotiated with G.O.B. earlier this year. David Price was mutually agreed to by both parties as both commission member and chairman. The D.F.C. Commission of Inquiry is tasked with examining loan procedures, collection efforts and the securitization process over the last five years. Chairman of the D.F.C. during most of that time was Glenn Godfrey and the C.E.O was Troy Gabb.