Lawyers continue to battle over B.T.L.
It’s been an issue on the backburner of the B.T.L. stove, but this morning attorneys representing Michael Ashcroft and Jeffrey Prosser were back in court, with both men laying claim to the chairmanship of the telecommunications company’s board. The private session was held in the chambers of Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh but we can tell you that Prosser is seeking an injunction that would prevent the sitting board from holding meetings as well as an application for those members to produce the company’s registers. According to Prosser’s local attorney Lionel Welch, his client is acting within his rights as the legal executive chairman.
Lionel Welch, Prosser Attorney
“There are arguments on both sides, but at the end of that day an adjournment was applied for by Mr. Rodwell Williams, the attorney for B.T.L. and the matter is now set for further hearing on the seventh of May.”
Janelle Chanona
“What will be your grounds?”
Lionel Welch
“I will not be able to offer any more grounds than those that are already on the application, which is simple, that there are Court of Appeal judgements, which states that Prosser, Bobby Lubana, they are entitled to be on the board. And Mr. Prosser being the non-executive chairman of the board definitely should be able to chair the board.”
“There are so many cases. There’s one in front of the Privy right now; there’s also an appeal to the Court of Appeal; and there is this one which is going on for the injunction; and then there is also another case on the books, which is a case that is made out by the Attorney General in which they are alleging that the special share is no longer in the hands of Prosser.”
Janelle Chanona
“You have tabs on everything.”
Lionel Welch
“I try to.”
Janelle Chanona
“Is it part of B.T.L.’s strategy to out litigate him, just keep bombarding him with all these cases?”
Rodwell Williams, B.T.L. Attorney
“I don’t know about a strategy, this is a matter brought by Jeffrey Prosser, I don’t know his strategy.”
“I have never represented Jeffrey Prosser, so I don’t know anything concerning Jeffrey Prosser. The matter was brought against B.T.L. and others and it was struck out last week and it was simply brought back again.”
Janelle Chanona
“What has been your mandate from the B.T.L. board?”
Rodwell Williams
“I’m supposed to vigorously defend it. Thank you.”
This case between Belize Telecommunications Limited and Prosser’s Belize Telecom has been adjourned until May seventh.
