分类： society

In a dramatic turn of events, the Court of Appeal has overturned a previous Supreme Court ruling that had influenced Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg’s decision to cut funding to one faction of the Valley Boys. Minister Bowleg, who had previously cited the Supreme Court’s March ruling favoring the “Way Forward” faction led by Trevor Davis, has now declined to comment on the appellate decision, stating he would “let the Court deal with it.” The Court of Appeal criticized the Registrar General’s Office for its handling of the registration of Mr. Davis’ group, calling the actions “beyond belief” and granting the rival “World Famous” Valley Boys faction, led by Brian Adderley, leave to appeal, citing “excellent prospects of success.” The World Famous Valley Boys expressed optimism about receiving overdue seed funding, totaling $70,000 for the past two years, while the Way Forward faction described the appellate court’s comments as “unfortunate” but vowed to continue their legal battle. The dispute, which began in 2023, stems from internal divisions over leadership and compliance with the Non-Profit Organisations Act, with both factions pledging to uphold the legacy of the Valley Boys in upcoming parades.

The Court of Appeal in The Bahamas has issued a landmark ruling, declaring that neither the government nor Bahamian resident Dahene Nonard will be required to pay legal costs in a protracted citizenship case that has stirred controversy due to a delayed judgment issued by a retired Supreme Court justice nearly three years after leaving office. The decision, delivered by Justice Crane-Scott with the concurrence of Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder, Justice Charles, Justice Smith, and Justice Turner, emphasized that fairness and justice necessitated both parties bear their own costs. The court stated, “the justice of this particular case dictates that there be no order as to the costs of the appeal.”

The case traces back to 2013 when Ms. Nonard applied for Bahamian citizenship. After years of inaction, she sought judicial review and constitutional relief in November 2018, alleging the government’s failure to process her application. The matter was heard in February 2021, but the presiding judge reserved her ruling. It was not until August 2024, three years and five months later, that the judgment was delivered—nearly three years after the judge’s retirement. The government appealed, arguing the retired justice lacked constitutional authority to issue a ruling post-retirement. In July 2025, the Court of Appeal agreed, deeming the August 2024 judgment unconstitutional, invalid, and a nullity. The court set aside the ruling and remanded the case to the Supreme Court for rehearing.

The cost issue remained unresolved until the recent ruling. The government, represented by attorney Kayla Green-Smith, argued it was entitled to costs as the successful party. Ms. Nonard’s legal team, led by Frederick Smith, KC, countered that the delay and appeal were caused by the judicial system, urging no order on costs. Justice Crane-Scott acknowledged both parties as innocent victims of the delay, stating, “Neither the appellants nor the respondent are responsible for the delay which transpired after the learned judge reserved her decision in February 2021.”

The court highlighted that while the government technically prevailed on appeal, its victory was based on the judgment’s unconstitutionality, not the merits of its legal arguments. Justice Crane-Scott emphasized that applying the usual costs rule would be unconscionable, as Ms. Nonard had no fault in the delay. The ruling referenced section 30(1) of the Supreme Court Act and Rule 24(5) of the Court of Appeal Rules, which grant judges discretion over costs. It also cited precedents like Scherer v Counting Instruments Ltd, affirming that a successful party has no automatic right to costs, and each case must be evaluated on its unique facts.

A newborn baby boy, still with his umbilical cord attached, was discovered crying in bushes off Marshall Road yesterday morning as heavy rain began to fall. The incident has sparked a police investigation and widespread concern. According to authorities, the infant was found by a passerby, Acharro Gaitor, who alerted the police shortly after 9 a.m. Gaitor, who was in the area at the time, described the emotional moment of discovering the child. ‘I started praying,’ he told ZNS News. ‘That’s the first thing I did, and my prayer is that the child will live and represent the kingdom of God.’ Emergency medical services were immediately called to the scene, and the baby was transported to a nearby hospital. Police later confirmed that the infant was in good health despite the ordeal. Chief Superintendent Darron Nixon, the officer in charge of the Carmichael police station, issued a heartfelt plea to the baby’s mother, urging her to come forward. He emphasized that there are numerous resources available for women facing crisis situations. ‘Mothers should not have to endure this kind of trauma,’ Nixon stated. ‘It is a traumatic situation, and she needs to know that there is help available. We are not blaming her, and we hope she will come forward to us and let us know that it is her child. The child is still alive, and there is help for this situation.’ The incident has raised questions about the support systems in place for vulnerable mothers and the importance of community awareness.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into a suspected suicide following the discovery of a man’s lifeless body at a residence in Garden Hills early Tuesday morning. The incident unfolded at a home on Chenille Street, near Soldier Road, where distraught family members and friends gathered in an emotionally charged scene. According to Inspector Gerard Culmer, law enforcement was alerted by a family member who found the victim in a state consistent with hanging around 6:30 a.m. Emergency medical personnel reportedly made efforts to resuscitate the man but were unable to save him. The coroner subsequently pronounced the man dead. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation as the community grapples with the tragic loss.