Constitutional motion to be heard in Meerabux case

The first round in the legal battle to oust Justice George Meerabux from his seat on Belize’s Supreme Court will open on Tuesday. The venue is the courtroom of Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh, where lawyers for Meerabux have filed a constitutional motion to halt all proceedings to remove their client. Attorneys Kirk Anderson and Oscar Sabido will argue that the action already taken by Governor General Sir Colville Young to inform Meerabux of allegations of misconduct made against him are contrary to the constitution and must cease. Arguing against the motion will be Attorney General Godfrey Smith, who will maintain that Belize’s constitution lays out a procedure for the removal of judges and that process is being followed. Several members of the Bar Association have filed affidavits alleging misconduct on the part of Meerabux. If the Supreme Court rules against the motion, the Governor General will be free to continue his investigation which could end up being referred to the Belize Advisory Council for a decision. The procedure for the removal of judges is outlined in Section Ninety-Eight of the Belize Constitution. If you don’t have one handy, it is available over the Internet at www.belizelaw.org.