标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a significant move to enhance educational technology, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath announced on Tuesday via a Facebook ‘live’ video that laptops have arrived in Trinidad. These devices are set to be distributed as a Christmas gift to the nation’s secondary school students, fulfilling a key election promise by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The announcement was made at the TTPost headquarters in Piarco, where Padarath was joined by TSTT chairman Kern Dass and acting CEO Keino Cox. Padarath emphasized that the Public Utilities Ministry, leading the laptops in schools program, had tasked state telecoms company bmobile/TSTT with the procurement of these devices. Over the next week, most of the laptops will be handed over to the Ministry of Education for nationwide distribution. Padarath highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating that it represents a progressive step towards equipping students with the necessary technological tools to gain a competitive edge in the future. The laptops come pre-loaded with carefully selected educational content and are accompanied by padded backpacks featuring a charging port, allowing the devices to be charged without removal. Further details on the distribution process will be revealed by the Ministry of Education in the coming days. Padarath expressed his satisfaction with the timely arrival of the laptops, noting that it would serve as a special Christmas gift from the Prime Minister to the students. He also thanked various agencies, including the Customs and Excise department and TTPost, for their collaboration in ensuring the success of this initiative.

In a meticulously planned intelligence-led operation, authorities uncovered a significant cache of contraband at the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca on November 25. The operation, which spanned from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM, was executed under the leadership of CoP Allister Guevarro, Acting Commissioner of Prisons Hayden Forde, DCP Suzette Martin, and Senior Superintendents Raymond Thom, Maynard-Wilson, and Gift. The contraband was discovered after officers navigated several meters through the prison’s ventilation system. The seized items included 62 cellular phones, 235 packs of cigarettes, three kilogrammes of marijuana, eight grammes of cocaine, a solar panel charger, wrapping paper, chargers, USB cords, tools such as screwdrivers and a hammer, a carving knife, a surge protector, a kettle, watches, a shortened cutlass, $2,012 in cash, electrical circuits powered by rechargeable batteries, headsets, digital scales, a WiFi box, power banks, men’s cologne, razor blades, and tattoo needles. The operation was supervised by Senior Superintendent Prisons Lee Davis, Superintendent Modestte, ASP Stanley, and included members of the Northern North Gang Unit, Northern North Task Force, DCP Operations Team, and the Prison Emergency Response Unit. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Colin Mitchell has been re-elected for a fifth consecutive term as chairman of The Shelter – A Safe House for Survivors of Domestic Violence. The announcement was made during the organization’s annual general meeting (AGM) held on November 20. The Shelter, which operates with a fully volunteer board, has seen significant progress over the past year, including advancements in the construction of the new WAND Expansion Wing, improvements in internal governance and HR systems, and strengthened collaborations with national institutions.

The AGM coincided with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, highlighting the ongoing urgency of The Shelter’s mission in Trinidad and Tobago, where domestic violence remains a pressing concern. Outgoing board members Sean Medina, Anna-Lise Nanton, and Kelly Betts were recognized for their contributions, while three new members joined the board: Shivan Camacho, an ICT specialist tasked with leading the digitization of the case management system; attorney Andrea De Matas, who will serve as secretary; and Dr. Indira Persad-Couch, a leadership development specialist focused on operational strengthening and stakeholder engagement.

Continuing board members include Stacey-Ann Paty as vice chair, Neela Moonilal-Kissoon as treasurer, and Dr. Maryam Abdool-Richards, Dr. Camille Huggins, and Kim Martins. Supporters are encouraged to participate in The Shelter’s 2026 fundraising events, including the Annual Golf Tournament in June and the Shelter Sunset Soirée in October. For more information or to support The Shelter, visit www.trinidadshelter.com.

The Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago is set to commence the distribution of laptops to students, starting on November 27. This initiative, announced in a media release on November 26, will first benefit students of Penal Secondary School. The distribution ceremony will be attended by Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath, senior ministry executives, and other government officials.

In a significant legal ruling, the High Court has dismissed all charges against Akim Jaggernauth, a Tunapuna man who spent five months in remand. The charges, which included shooting with intent, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition, were dropped after Master Rehanna Hosein found that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him. The decision followed a sufficiency hearing, where the court identified serious gaps in the evidence presented. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on a civilian witness who claimed to have seen Jaggernauth holding an object resembling a firearm before hearing explosions. However, the court noted that no firearm, ammunition, or spent shells were recovered, and there was no ballistic, medical, or forensic evidence to support the allegations. Additionally, a police search of Jaggernauth’s home yielded no weapons or clothing described in witness statements. Master Hosein emphasized that the witness’s account was inconsistent and lacked credibility, as he admitted to never seeing Jaggernauth fire anything. She concluded that the evidence, even at its highest, could not support a conviction. The court ordered Jaggernauth’s discharge on all counts under Section 24 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act. Defence attorney Yves Jacques Nicholson welcomed the ruling, stating that it reaffirms the importance of sufficiency hearings as a procedural safeguard in the criminal justice system. He emphasized that no one should stand trial based on conjecture or inference without a proper evidential foundation.

In a heartfelt tribute, Arthur Dash, a junior counsel who has worked alongside Senior Counsel Israel Khan for over 24 years, celebrates Khan’s recent accolade—an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree from the University of TT. This prestigious honor recognizes Khan’s exceptional contributions to the legal profession, particularly his distinguished advocacy at the Criminal Bar of TT and his 38-year tenure as a tutor at the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS).

Khan, a 1979 graduate of HWLS, was appointed Senior Counsel in 2000. His career has been marked by brilliance, moral courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice. In 2024, HWLS honored him as one of seven distinguished Caribbean luminaries during its 50th anniversary celebrations.

Dash, who has witnessed Khan’s legal prowess firsthand, describes him as a shining example for young attorneys. Khan’s dedication to justice and his profound impact on the legal field make this honorary degree a well-deserved recognition. Dash extends his heartfelt congratulations to Khan for this remarkable achievement.

The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision that had dismissed disciplinary findings and lifted the suspension of Dr. Dion Koonoolal, a dentist accused of violating the Dental Council’s advertising regulations. The case has been remitted to a newly constituted appeal tribunal for a full rehearing. Justices Charmaine Pemberton, Mira Dean-Armorer, and Carla Brown-Antoine ruled that Justice Carol Gobin, acting as the appeal tribunal, failed to conduct the case as a true rehearing, as mandated by Section 37 of the Dental Profession Act and Part 60.8 of the Civil Proceedings Rules (CPR).

Justice Pemberton, who authored the unanimous judgment, stated that this procedural lapse prevented the proper examination of evidence, including cross-examination, rendering the earlier decision “plainly wrong.” She emphasized that the appeal judge did not ensure all necessary evidence was presented, relying instead on statements from counsel and personal opinions. This approach, the court found, led to factual errors and an incorrect dismissal of the Dental Council’s statutory role as the profession’s primary regulator.

The Court of Appeal underscored the importance of appellate courts respecting the expertise of professional disciplinary bodies, particularly in specialized fields. It concluded that the High Court had undermined the role Parliament intended for the Dental Council in maintaining professional standards. While Dr. Koonoolal had challenged the fairness of the disciplinary process, the court declined to rule on these issues, noting they were not properly examined during the initial appeal.

The court also clarified that the regulatory framework explicitly prohibits unauthorized advertising by dentists, subject to specific exceptions. It rejected any interpretation suggesting ambiguity in the law, stating that the policy documents complement rather than contradict the legislative provisions. The court emphasized that debates about modernizing professional codes should not interfere with judicial obligations to base decisions on evidence and legal frameworks.

The appeal was allowed, the High Court’s decision was set aside, and the case was ordered to be reheard by a different tribunal. Dr. Koonoolal was also directed to pay the Dental Council’s legal costs. The Dental Council was represented by Ian Benjamin, SC, Anil Maraj, and Nicole de Verteuil-Milne, while Dr. Koonoolal was represented by Anand Ramlogal, SC, and Jared Jagroo.