DPP Wayne L. Rajbansie Out! No contract renewal, still not a QC!
The contract of Trinidad and Tobago national Wayne L. Rajbansie will not be renewed after four years on the job.
His last day is expected to be on August 15, 2016 having started working in the VI in August of 2012. There are conflicting reports as to whether he had any interest in a contract renewal, or if the Government wanted him gone.
His four year tenue in the Virgin Islands (VI) has been mixed with wins of some high profiled cases, as well as some knock out by others.
It was a low point for Mr Rajbansie and his Office when on Friday July 24, 2015 some six media houses in the VI were summoned by him to appear before the criminal court with charges and complaints unknown.
Many in the legal fraternity, civil society, the political class and the media labeled his actions, as abuse of power. It was also unfortunate that during his rant in court on the same day, he singled out Virgin Islands News Online; however, Mr Rajbansie could not explain the reason in court for such reckless attack.
The post of DPP is now being advertised by the Government’s Human Resources Department.
Locals need not apply!
For the past ten years plus the post of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has never been filled by a local. Prior to Rajbansie being in Office, Ms Elizabeth Hinds, a native of Guyana was appointed DPP, but her stint was short lived. She came in June 2010 and departed in August 2012.
Before Ms Hinds, another non-national- Terrence Williams, a native of Jamaica, held the post for a number of years. Mr Williams' contract ended in January 2010.
Mr Williams, who has since moved back to his native Jamaica, was regarded highly by the legal fraternity in the Virgin Islands and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Leader of Opposition speaks
Meanwhile, in the House of Assembly on April 25, 2016, under Any Other Business, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), Opposition Leader, suggested that it is time for a local to take up the post of DPP. Hon Fraser, a veteran legislator now on his fifth consecutive four year term and one of the authors of the 2007 VI Constitutional Order, told the House of Assembly that, "when you look at the section in the Constitution for the Attorney General you would see that there are certain provisions, one of those provisions, the person should first be a Belonger, and of course if you cannot find a Belonger, you can hire an expat…those provisions do not exist for the Director of Public Prosecutions,” according to Hon Fraser.
He added, in regards to the DPP’s post "and I know what that provision entails and not too many people want to subject themselves to that position in a small society like this. Because you have to come up against some rough situations sometimes and if you don’t have the kind of protection that I think you need…but let's not limit it to Belongers, let it be open, and it is open but if there is a Belonger who is qualified for that post [DPP] and if there is a Belonger willing to put themselves up to serve in that position, I think that’s the way it should be, first preference."
Hon Fraser told the Legislature in the case of the now vacant DDP post that there is “no need to bring people from outside if you have that talent here to internalise.”
QC anyone?
It is also our newsroom’s understanding from our sources inside the legal system that Mr. Rajbansie's name has been put forward to be granted a Queen’s Counsel, however, it appears not to be going anywhere as it is alleged that there have been objections from a few QCs locally and in the OECS jurisdiction.
Queen’s Counsels are particularly eminent jurists appointed by letters patent to be one of Her Majesty’s Counsels learned in the law.
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27 Responses to “DPP Wayne L. Rajbansie Out! No contract renewal, still not a QC!”
there must be a God somewhere.
Mr. Graham continues to perform well. I agree that he should be considered