标签： Bahamas

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.

In response to the impending threat of Hurricane Melissa, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has issued a mandatory evacuation order for over 1,400 residents in the southeast Bahamas. The order, effective from October 27 to November 1, targets vulnerable islands including Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, and Ragged Island. Priority is given to the elderly, the sick, and children, with air and sea transportation provided to relocate evacuees to New Providence, where shelters and accommodations have been arranged. The decision follows consultations with the Disaster Risk Management Authority and the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, emphasizing the precautionary nature of the evacuation to ensure safety before conditions worsen. Forecasts predict hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges of up to six feet in the southeast Bahamas. Supplies and emergency personnel have been pre-positioned, and all government agencies are operating under the National Disaster Response Framework. Deputy Director of Meteorology Jeffrey Green reported that Hurricane Melissa, currently a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 175 mph, is expected to impact Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. Evacuation flights began early yesterday and will continue today, with over 370 people already relocated. Authorities anticipate the number of evacuees to exceed 1,400. Prime Minister Davis expressed solidarity with Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Haiti, which are already experiencing the storm’s effects, acknowledging the fear and uncertainty such storms bring.

The Bahamas was struck by tragedy over the weekend as two young men lost their lives in separate violent incidents. Mekhi Taylor, a 20-year-old beach attendant, was fatally shot early Saturday morning in a parking lot on University Drive. According to police reports, a Japanese vehicle pulled up shortly before 2 a.m., and its occupants opened fire on a group of people standing in the area. Taylor’s family believes he was not the intended target but was tragically caught in the crossfire. His older sister, K’nelle Taylor, described him as a jovial and carefree individual who often joked about enjoying life to the fullest, even in the face of danger. Just hours before the shooting, Taylor had dined with his younger brother and friends at Carnivale Bahamas, promising to return home after dropping off a neighbor. His workplace, The Blue Zone Experience, paid tribute to him, calling him a hard-working and irreplaceable asset to their team. In a separate incident, 25-year-old Philip Lockhart, a twin and restaurant server, was killed following a brawl at Arawak Cay on Sunday morning. His best friend, Iranique, expressed profound grief, remembering him as an extraordinary and caring individual who had been a pillar of support in her life. Police have detained a 29-year-old man in connection with Lockhart’s death. These latest homicides have brought the country’s murder count to 70 for the year, according to records from The Tribune.

The Bahamas government is on high alert as Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 145 mph, threatens the southern and central islands. Officials have warned of life-threatening flooding, hurricane-force winds, and coastal inundation, particularly in Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Ragged Island, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. A formal evacuation order from the Prime Minister may be issued in the coming days, contingent on the storm’s trajectory and intensity. Jeffrey Greene, Deputy Director of the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, confirmed that a hurricane alert is now active for the central and southeast Bahamas, including the Turks and Caicos Islands. Residents in these areas are advised to prepare for severe weather conditions expected to begin late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Hurricane Melissa is forecast to pass over Jamaica on Tuesday, cross southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and reach the southeast Bahamas by Wednesday. Currently located several hundred miles southwest of The Bahamas, the storm is moving west at approximately five mph but is predicted to shift north and northeast on Monday and Tuesday. While hurricane-force winds extend up to 30 miles from its center, tropical storm-force winds reach 205 miles. Officials noted that interactions with Jamaica, Cuba, and Hispaniola might slightly weaken the storm before it impacts Bahamian territory. Leon Lundy, Minister responsible for Disaster Risk Management, emphasized the government’s full mobilization, including resource positioning, community briefings, and inter-agency coordination to ensure an effective response. He urged residents to stay informed through official channels and avoid relying on rumors. Aaron Sargent, Director of the Disaster Risk Management Authority, highlighted ongoing efforts to monitor the storm, coordinate with local administrators, and identify vulnerable residents, particularly the elderly and those with medical needs, for potential evacuation. Sargent praised the proactive response of residents, noting a trend of swift action even before official evacuation orders are issued.

A devastating head-on collision on the Grand Bahama Highway over the weekend has claimed the lives of two men, including a chef who had repeatedly voiced concerns about the dangerous conditions of the road. The accident occurred between 6am and 6.30am on a poorly lit stretch of the highway, which lacks streetlights despite the early sunrise. Christopher Smith, a chef at The Garden of the Groves, and Mozen Selemfort, a boat captain at Statoil in East End, were both on their way to work when the crash happened. Smith’s sister, Roseleen Smith, who was driving the vehicle with him as a passenger, sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalized. The collision occurred when a white Honda, driven by Selemfort and traveling east, veered into the westbound lane, striking Roseleen’s grey Chrysler head-on. Both Smith and Selemfort died at the scene, marking the 53rd traffic fatality in the country this year. The Grand Bahama Highway, located just east of the Lucayan National Park, was closed for over two hours as police conducted investigations. Smith’s colleagues and family expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing him as a compassionate and dedicated individual who frequently highlighted the perilous state of the highway. Superintendent Christopher Farquharson of the Grand Bahama Traffic Division confirmed that speed was a contributing factor in the crash. The incident has reignited concerns about road safety in the area, with calls for immediate improvements to prevent further tragedies.

In a tragic development, Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles announced that a man will face murder charges in the Magistrates Court today for the death of 30-year-old Lauren Saunders. Saunders, who was seven months pregnant and a mother of two, was reported missing on October 19 after her family could not reach her. Her silver Jeep was later found abandoned off Coral Harbour Road, with her personal belongings still inside. A coordinated search involving the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), drone units, and K-9 officers led to the discovery of her decomposed body in a bushy area off Munnings Drive last Wednesday. Forensic examinations revealed advanced decomposition, preventing pathologists from determining the exact cause of death. However, police confirmed they have sufficient evidence to proceed with a murder charge. The suspect, a man in his 30s known to the victim, was taken into custody early in the investigation. Commissioner Knowles praised the relentless efforts of her officers and expressed gratitude to the public for their assistance in the search. Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis condemned the crime, emphasizing that violence against women has no place in society. The case has sparked widespread grief and outrage across the Bahamas.