Chief Justice hands down decision declaring government’s expenditure of $1.5 billion unconstitutional

Published by BBN Staff at January 31, 2020

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Posted: Friday, January 31, 2020. 1:33 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin has voided more than a decade of supplementary budget spending (approx. $1.5 billion) by the Government in a long-awaited ruling issued this morning.

However, the permanent injunction sought by Opposition Leader John Briceno against Minister of Finance Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Financial Secretary Joseph Waight was granted but stayed for six months to allow for a Constitutional amendment to correct the error.

The Chief Justice also declined to invalidate the Petrocaribe Loans Act. Nonetheless, both sides appear pleased.

Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay said the Government had been rapped for spending “like they ran a panades shop” while Briceno said he was looking forward to meeting with Government over the amendment which will need wide support in the House to pass.

BBN will have more on this story later today.

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