Special Prosecution Bill Makes Way for Appointment of Independent Prosecutors

Today, Kareem Musa, the Minister of Home Affairs, introduced a bill before the House of Representatives that will allow for the appointment of independent prosecutors in the investigation and prosecution of criminal matters. The Special Prosecution Bill comes four months after the gruesome New Year’s Eve triple murder of David, Jon and Vivian Ramnarace in Belmopan. Considering the relationship of the accused to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Minister Musa saw it necessary to approve the request for a special or independent prosecutor to take charge of the case. The passage of a Special Prosecution Act will allow for that special prosecutor to act independent of the D.P.P.’s office. 

Kareem Musa

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“It is still very fresh in our collective mind the very heinous and tragic triple murder that took place on December 2022 right here in our capital city where John Ramnarce, David Ramnarace and Vivian Ramnarace lost their lives. We know that the accused in this particular incident is a corporal of police who was on interdiction and it was learnt that he had a familial tie, all be it distance, with the current Director of public prosecution. While we have absolutely no reason to feel that there is any bias whatsoever and we believe that the DPP could certainly carry out in a very professional manner under this particular prosecution we are nevertheless confounded by the fact that there is this familial tie. As such, to remove any perception of bias whatsoever and to ensure that we have an above board and transparent prosecution in this very high profile cases it has become necessary for us to introduce and pass this Special Prosecutors Bill.”