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Ex DPP Wayne L. Rajbansie lashes out @ Media & Magistrate Richards

- accuses a media house of publishing inaccurate information, but his history of hostility towards the media is well documented
Former Director Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mr Wayne L. Rajbansie (right) has fired back at Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards (left) over comments made about his tenure as DPP. Photo:VINO/File
The summoning of media houses by the High Court during Mr Wayne L. Rajbansie's tenure as DPP was blasted by Senior Queen Counsel and former Attorney General R. Dancia Penn QC, OBE who labelled it as a breach of Natural Justice. Photo: VINO/File
The summoning of media houses by the High Court during Mr Wayne L. Rajbansie's tenure as DPP was blasted by Senior Queen Counsel and former Attorney General R. Dancia Penn QC, OBE who labelled it as a breach of Natural Justice. Photo: VINO/File
Besides his lack of frequent appearing in court as alleged by Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards, Mr Wayne L. Rajbansie (not in photo) will be remembered for being hostile to press freedom in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
Besides his lack of frequent appearing in court as alleged by Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards, Mr Wayne L. Rajbansie (not in photo) will be remembered for being hostile to press freedom in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While his contract was not renewed as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and he is still in the Virgin Islands as a consultant to the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Trinidadian Wayne L. Rajbansie is still making the news.

Hostile to some media house

In a press statement sent out to selective members of the local media, who he tried to silence while he held the job of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Rajbansie continues to lash out.

The former DPP accused one media house of publishing "inaccurate and misinformed” articles about him, which he claimed in his latest rant, was designed to injure his reputation.

He made clear, according to him, that he was not fired or denied a contract renewal to the post of DPP in his press release.

According to Mr Rajbansie, “it was my decision not to seek a renewal of the contract.” The now controversial former DPP also alleged, “five months prior to the termination of the contract, I informed the Department of Human Resources, in writing, that I will not seek a further renewal.”

Rajbansie fires back @ Magistrate Richards

In a stinging public statement on his performance, current Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards, while addressing the opening of the 2016-2017 Law Year in the Virgin Islands, told the legal fraternity “I can count on my one hand the number of occasions I saw  him in court,” referring to Mr Rajbansie.

In his press statement covering various issues and sent to selective media houses, Rajbansie did not call the Senior Magistrate’s name, however, he said, “It is unfortunate that a judicial officer could make the injudicious statements reported to have been made at the ceremonial opening of the law term 2016/2017.”

In defending his performance as DPP he claimed “these remarks serve only to bring that office and the administration of justice into disrepute.”

The DPP, who many claim was an ‘in the office type DPP’, went on to list all the cases where he appeared in the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council.

Besides his lack of frequent appearing in court as alleged by Senior Magistrate Richards, Mr Rajbansie will be remembered for being hostile to press freedom in the Virgin Islands.

Hostile to press freedom

On July 24, 2015 the editors of various news companies in the Virgin Islands (VI) including BVI News Online, The Island Sun Newspaper, The BVI Beacon, Virgin Islands News Online and BVI Platinum News were summoned to appear in the High Court of Justice (Criminal Division).

The ‘Summons to Defendants’ did not state who was the Complainant and what the Complaint was exactly about. Many persons in the media, legal fraternity and civil society labeled his action an abuse of power.

However, former Attorney General and Deputy Premier R. Dancia Penn QC, OBE, who appeared in court for one of the media houses, blasted Mr Rajbansie’s action as a breach of natural justice. Mrs Penn said persons cannot be called before the court, irrespective of who they are, without being told what the nature of the complaint is. “They did not know who or what the Complainant was. They did not know what the particulars were. These are fundamentals of natural justice and that is part of why I am convinced we are going down a slippery slope.”

In an emotional tone, the senior and respected legal practitioner said the men and women of the media should not have been brought to the court on a summons of this nature and subjected to what she thought was “quite a tirade” on them.

Over his tenure in the VI as DPP, Mr Rajbansie has also sought to get the news media to take down published stories online, claiming that it could alter the outcome of cases.

24 Responses to “Ex DPP Wayne L. Rajbansie lashes out @ Media & Magistrate Richards”

  • SICK MAN (20/10/2016, 10:25) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    SMH he was only trying to get at vino
    • hello (20/10/2016, 11:29) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      The only keep this man here to add more problem to our country ,he need to go back where the hell he come from. The NDP only want the people here for their votes they are a bunch of ///////. I am very disappointed in the PREMIER he is a disgrace . None of them have the country at heart imagine they are going to raise two of them salary and not one say I will donate some to the schools they only there for the money and perks sets of rats.
    • @ sick man (20/10/2016, 12:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      if he fighting with the Media he cannot win so he better give it up
  • Me (20/10/2016, 10:29) Like (12) Dislike (11) Reply
    Yeah Wayne, sock it to them. They want to discredit your name, this must stop, get the facts before going in public saying these things!
  • The obeah workin (20/10/2016, 10:30) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    Move your backside an indigenous bvi slander was denied the opportunity to job train by the dpp office because her father had just won a case against the dpp. All who crust this Young lady dreams and hirt her feelings must pay. ... KARMA KARMA KARMA
    • @ the obeah workin (20/10/2016, 11:17) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      preach it
    • Don't worry (20/10/2016, 13:58) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      @The Obeah working, they could do all the obeah they want, obeah have a way of turning back pun ya R.,,. Let them keep turning to the devil for protection and to hurt and keep people down. I saw somewhere that KARMA don't need a address or postage stamp to find you.
  • Sherry (20/10/2016, 13:09) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    locals can't find jobs but he is still here on the tax payers dime...this cannot be RIGHT!
    • HOMEONTHERANGE (20/10/2016, 18:41) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
      And he need to be denied access to the blogging page from on here blogging and liking and disliking. We knew he was a troublemaker from long time, but time longer than twine, and the twine is wrapped around his waist now. Tek that for messing with our local people. Your kind was not there when the ship sailed with our ancestors. Jump off the boat fast, Boss, before you drown.
  • Oh Please (20/10/2016, 14:03) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    Dude, do everyone a favor and get the hell out of here. No one, I repeat, no one want you here. Just who the hell do you think you are. Lash out all you want. Take that mess back where you came from. Just get out of here already.
  • i from here (20/10/2016, 14:29) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Vino and their owners from here they got no plane to catch to TT
  • youths (20/10/2016, 15:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He still here and the schools hurting plus he getting paid by education I'm sure!
  • charlie (20/10/2016, 16:23) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am so ashamed that Minister Ronnie Skelton could have found work to bring that man back. What is wrong with us. Think we could have gone back to his country after leaving in disgrace? Is anyone aware of what a living hell it was for the staff who worked under him. I understand he even applied for QC while here but they saw right through him like glass
  • long look me come from (20/10/2016, 18:27) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why this island man here picking on 2 locals?
    • Hmm (20/10/2016, 23:15) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      The question is why so many Tt,Jamaicans,antiguans and others here fighting locals. Them eyes so long. Killing local spouses to get status. It seems like to be an indigenous bvislander in BVI carries the greatest burden and discrimination. They talk about lack of status for being born here, everybody can cry fowl except the indigenous ones. Worst of all are first generation BVIslanders they are the most greedy and desperate set to get our indigenous birthright. There you have it governor. And others. The BVI constitution need to and MUST carve out reserve rights for our indigenous people.
    • Not surprised (21/10/2016, 08:36) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Indians are Gods over Blacks. Thought u all knew that. Or at lease. That's the way they think.
  • Ok!!!!!!! (20/10/2016, 18:37) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Man pack your bags and get on the next mode of transport out of town. You are not welcome here. Just who do you think you are. Go back where you came from. #YOUARENOTWELCOMEHERE!!!!!!!!
  • crucian (21/10/2016, 05:12) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Look how he done gone and lost his mind.
  • Sorry For Doc. (21/10/2016, 08:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I knew Ronnie would not work out for us ..He never listen. He like his way Imagine. Ronnie, Mark. Myron. Kedrick and Dr. Smith in a serious meeting.. Hmmm. 4 know it all. strong heads. Attacking one humble person.
  • known (21/10/2016, 09:33) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just go home! Oh wait........they don't want you there either?! Well we don't want you! Go!
  • Hmmm! (22/10/2016, 10:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You all don't see what's going on? Perhaps the former DPP got something on them boys!!! Looks like he has them by the b@!!$. Maybe the contract is just to keep him quiet. Maybe resignation and contract go hand in hand. From DPP to consultant in the MoHSD?? HUh? The ease of which to issue a press statement , speak out publicaly against a magistrate, and the deafening silence from the Govt, speaks louder than words. More in the mortar than the pestle. Opposition wake up!
    • Ajic (22/10/2016, 19:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hmmm...you might be on to something. I wonder whose balls he has in his hands.
      • STOPIT! (24/10/2016, 09:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

        No more squeezing b*lls here. You don't see Super Cop got back his job! Let he go squeeze Roti and Doubles in he mouth.



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