Christopher Ram Responds to AG Nandlall’s unsubstantiated allegation
I recently viewed a video of Attorney General Anil Nandlall (AG) responding to a column written by Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, SC, who heads Cameron and Shepherd, arguably Guyana’s oldest law firm. I retained Mr. Kamal Ramkarran, the son of Ralph Ramkarran, as my attorney to challenge Article 160 (2) (a) of Guyana’s Constitution, which I believe permits individuals to contest parliamentary elections in geographical constituencies. Readers might recall that Kamal was also my Counsel — right up to the CCJ – in the case he successfully filed over the 2018 no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.
In the video, the AG made the grave allegation that Mr. Ramkarran Senior’s column was “an attempt by him to distance his law firm from a statement that I (AG) made… from a contention that I (AG) advanced.” The AG went on: “And the contention that I advanced was that based upon the information that I have received, information that I have no reason to doubt, the legal proceedings are being financed by a political presidential aspirant.”
After reviewing the video, I contacted the AG to inform him that his allegation about the financing of the proceedings was false and challenged him to provide us with the information or issue a retraction and apology. The AG subsequently issued what can only be described as a non-statement. Rather than providing evidence or retracting his defamatory claims, he now attempts to justify his conduct by claiming he was merely “sharing information already being publicly peddled” and that such information was “published on social media.”
His feeble justification raises even more serious concerns. If he is basing official statements on unverified social media posts and rumors, this speaks to a fundamental failure in his duties as the nation’s chief legal officer. Social media gossip and speculation do not constitute the reliable information he initially claimed to possess. It is profoundly disappointing that our nation’s chief legal officer would conduct himself in this reckless manner. His refusal to accept accountability when challenged sets a dangerous example that undermines the integrity of his office and erodes public confidence in our legal institutions.
I also take this opportunity to apologise to Ralph and Kamal Ramkarran and their families for the embarrassment and pain that the AG’s wild accusations and his subsequent refusal to retract them would have caused. The best vindication is honour, truth and justice. It will come their way.
Christopher Ram