Senior Magistrate Reserves Decision to April 2nd

Then there is the matter of who owns the land in question. Parcel number four-six-seven-zero was acquired by the Government in 2006 but according to Attorney Emil Arguelles, his client Primrose Gabourel, is being brought to the courts as the landowner.

Emil Arguelles, Attorney for Defendants

Emil Arguelles

“This is like the thirtieth charge against these two. The worst part is as I pointed out was that this was a joke where you have the government saying that they have acquired this property, they own it yes you have hear the prosecution representing the government saying that the government does not own the land; Ms. Primrose owns the land hence she was brought today to court for entirely new charges as an owner of the land. I have simply told the court that the prosecution, government’s left hand should huddle with government’s right hand and figure out what front and what argument they intend to take in this matter.”

Reporter

“The alleged offences were caught on camera, were captured over time, and you mean the DOE can’t simply bring a charge? You all didn’t even have the correct parcel number, Jeavon.”

Jeavon Hulse

Jeavon Hulse

“There were typos. Really and truly it was typos in so far of the parcel number, four-six-seven-zero. But again, the thing is that no one is perfect and everyone knows this. It is a learning curve and these are some of the first cases where you really see DOE is taking the helm now and start to prosecute environment offences. It is not every day that you hear a DOE matter go to court, especially magistrate court. It is a learning curve and that is what we are doing.”

Reporter

“You all are accusing Ms. Primrose Gabourel of violating the law on a parcel which is not her land. You all, the government as you have just underscored in court, acquired it in a Gazette notice in November 2006”

Jeavon Hulse

“All of these things came to light only recently. You dig? Really and truly it is only three, four weeks ago at best that these things arouse in so far as the acquisition. Some of the charges were there from January”

Reporter

“But it is your ministry that acquired it Jeavon.”

Jeavon Hulse

“No. Fundamental. You have Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources, separate and apart from forestry, fisheries. So the lands matters are being dealt with by the Ministry of Lands.”

The matter was adjourned to April second.