Georgetown: Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram has warned several Ministers that they will soon face legal action for the improper receipt of salaries while now functioning as party agents.
The Former Minister identified were David Patterson, Simona Broomes and Annette Ferguson along with Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Ryan Belgrave from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
Ram reminded the officials that they took an oath to uphold the Constitution which clearly outlines the circumstances in which Ministers can receive money from the public purse.
He was keen to highlight Article 219 which states, “Where at any time, Parliament has been dissolved before any provision or any sufficient provision is made under this Title for the carrying on of the government of Guyana, the Minister responsible for Finance may authorize the withdrawal of such sums from the Consolidated Fund as he or she may deem necessary for the purpose of meeting expenditure on public service…”
The lawyer noted that public service is defined by Article 232 of the Constitution as “…the service of the Government in a civil capacity…” Since it is well known that Patterson, Ferguson and others are functioning as party agents during the recount of the votes cast in the 2020 General and Regional Elections, Ram contended that any salaries they receive at this time would be in breach of the Constitution and his legal action would seek to recover same.
Ram notified these officials in the letter that he will be bringing legal action against them to return of all public moneys they improperly received and for other sanctions as the court thinks fit, as well as against persons making the payments.
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