Sedi Goes at it with Director of Progresso Heights Ltd.
This morning in the Supreme Court, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington, one of three parties involved in ongoing litigation over the sale of land in the Corozal District, appeared before Justice Courtney Abel in various capacities in a most peculiar case.. Not only is the Pickstock Area Representative his own defense attorney in the matter, he is also a shareholder in Progresso Heights Limited, a private company with limited liability which was registered and incorporated in Belize under the Companies Act in July 2003. So today his nephew, attorney O.J. Elrington, backed him up in court. The lawsuit which also includes the Lands Registry stems from cautions being placed on several parcels to prevent the sale of those properties. According to Elrington, PHL has not been complying with the provisions of the Companies Act and hasn’t called an annual general meeting to lawfully appoint an auditor to go through its books. During the trial this morning, things got rather heated between Elrington and Lawrence Schneider, the company’s principal director, who took the stand via video link.
Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington
Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, Progresso Heights
“You notice I’m not the losing my cool. I’m not losing my cool.”
Reporter
“Sir, but it’s an extraordinary day in court where you are both the defense attorney, the litigant and a shareholder.”
Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington
“Yes, it’s a very, very unique situation.”
Reporter
“It’s a first as far as I have seen, especially with you being a minister of government.”
Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington
“It might be, I make all kinds of records.”
Reporter
“I don’t know if what you are arguing is germane to the case, but is it personally gratifying for you? At least it seems to be.”
Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington
“Let me break it down in small bites. If Jules Vasquez owns land and I am his very close friend, I cannot sell his land unless he gives me a power of attorney. That’s it right there. The mere fact that you are a director doesn’t authorize you to do anything. Resolutions have got to be passed… For everything a company does it has to have resolutions. It has to keep minutes, it has to have records and you can’t say that is the responsibility of the company’s attorney. No. The company has an attorney to give them advice on certain issues, but that is the in-house management of the company.”
