Questionable Conduct: The Jamaican Political Reality

We have posted the 3 book reviews that have been published in the Jamaican newspapers. There is now available on Youtube an interview done in late 2018. Below is the introduction by Angry People Smiling: "Dr Paul Ashley, Attorney-at-Law and Political Commentator, published Dudus: The Extradition of Jamaica's #1 Drug Don, a book which recounts the "Machinations of the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) to delay and frustrate the extradition of Jamaica's premier drug lord, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke." To achieve that goal, Dr Ashley went to primary sources and published transcripts from both, the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips and West Kingston Commissions of Enquiry. Documents are scattered over the seven chapters. Dr Ashley provides an overview of this watershed 2010 event then examines the confidentiality breach, the delays and tactics, the machinations of both the governments of Jamaica and USA, and finally, the escape and capture of Dudus, who was wanted t...

The third book review of "Dudus: The Extradition of Jamaica's #1 Drug Don" was by Dr. Canute Thompson under the caption "Naming politicians who 'hug up' criminals' published in The Jamaica Observer , Monday, December 03, 2018: "Young, outspoken, feisty, up-and-coming Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) heavyweight Matthew Samuda has threatened to name politicians who are “hugging up” criminals. Should Samuda follow through on his threat (promise) — and I doubt he will — Jamaica would surely benefit. And so, for Jamaica's sake, I urge Samuda to do as he has promised. But, even if he does not do so publicly, I suggest that he provides the report, with the evidence he has, to the police. Samuda's threat has led me to reflect on a recent book written by Dr Paul Ashley — a feisty and outspoken socio-political provocateur, cynic, and attorney-at-law. The book is entitled Dudus: The Extradition of Jamaica's # 1 Drug Don. This book may provide some ...

The second book review of "Dudus: The Extradition of Jamaica's #1 Drug Don" was by Allan Douglas published in   The Jamaica Observer, Monday, October 01, 2018 entitled 'The extradition of Dudus': "I have just finished reading Dr Paul Ashley's book, Dudus: The Extradition of Jamaica's #1 Drug Don, a seven-chapter, 176-page scholarly work recording a significant event in Jamaica's history. It is very unfortunate the book will not be available for sale at bookstores or other outlets, but will only be accessible from libraries. In my opinion, the author could have spent more time researching the main character, Christopher “Dudus” Coke, and providing more details about him. To understand this character properly he must be placed in context. The book needed greater elaboration of his personal life — his boyhood days, the loves and influences that made him the person he became. One was left to rely on American intelligence reports that lacked substa...

Three book reviews of   "Dudus: The Extradition of Jamaica's #1 Drug Don" have been published; two in The Jamaica Observer and one in the Jamaica Gleaner. The first was by Rev Dr. Devon Dick entitled 'Devon Dick | Dudus Revisited By Dr Paul Ashley ' published in the Jamaica Gleaner Thursday, September 13, 2018: "Recently, Dr Paul Ashley, attorney-at-law and political commentator, published Dudus: The Extradition of Jamaica's #1 Drug Don, which recounts the "machinations of the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) to delay and frustrate the extradition of Jamaica's premier drug lord, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke." To achieve that goal, Ashley went to primary sources and published transcripts from both the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips and West Kingston commissions of enquiry. There are such documents scattered over the seven chapters. Ashley provides an overview of this watershed 2010 event then examines the confidentiality breach, the delay...

Extradition of Christopher "Dudus" Coke involved among other things: * death of 69-73 persons * declaration of a limited state of emergency * resignation of a Prime Minister * use of mortars on a civilian population * armed intervention against the state * hiring of a law firm to lobby the US Government in an inter-state matter * resignation of a  Senator from the incumbent regime * commissioning of two(2) commissions of enquiry * payment by the state of damages incurred * the killing of Mr. Keith Clarke, at his residence in Upper St. Andrew, resulting in three (3) members                          of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) being charged with murder * involvement of a US military spy plane apparently without the knowledge and consent of either the Minister of National Security or the Minister of Defence (the Prime Minister) * military assistance provided by the USA to the Jamaican secur...

                              Below is the substance of the Warrant signed by Dorothy Lightbourne, Minister of Justice, dated June 24, 2010:  giving governmental approval for the extradition of  Christopher "Dudus" Coke.                                              THE EXTRADITION ACT 1991                                     WARRANT OF MINISTER FOR EXTRADlTION OF FUGITIVE To the Superintendent of the Red Fence Adult Correctional Centre, Kingston , and to all and each of the Constables of the Jamaica Constabulary Force: WHEREAS a request has been made to me for the surrender of Christopher Michael Coke aka “Michael Christopher Coke”, aka “ P aul Christopher Scott”, aka “Presi” aka “Genera...

  Below is the substance of the Warrant of Committal  after Christopher Coke consented to extradition without formal proceedings.  Such was signed by Geogiana Fraser, Resident Magistrate for the Corporate Area, dated June 24, 2010                                          THE EXTRADITION ACT, 1991                      WARRANT OF COMMITTAL UNDER SECTION 17(2) IN                          RELATION TO CONSENT TO BEING EXTRADITED To all and each of the Constables of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and the Superintendent of the Red Fence Adult Correctional Centre , in the parish of Kingston: WHEREAS, Christopher Michael Coke aka “Michael Christopher Coke”, aka “Paul Christopher Scott” aka “Presi” aka “General” aka "President" aka “Duddus” aka “Sh...

Below is the substance of the Warrant Of Arrest signed by Georgina Fraser, Resident Magistrate for theCorporate Area, dated May 18, 2010                                         THE EXTRADITION ACT 1991                                              WARRANT OF ARREST To all and each of the Constables of the Jamaica Constabulary Force: WHEREAS I have received from the Honourable Dorothy Lightbourne, Minister of Justice, an Authority to Proceed in the case of Christopher Michael Coke aka Michael Christopher Coke, aka Paul Christopher Scott, aka “Presi” aka “Gen- eral”, aka “President”, aka “Duddus”, aka “Shortman ” who is accused of the extradition offences of (1) Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with the Intent to Distribute 1,000 kilograms and more of mixtur...

Below is the substance of The  Authority To Proceed signed by Dorothy Lightbourne, Minister of Justice, dated May 18, 2010                                                      THE EXTRADITION ACT 1991                                                        AUTHORITY TO PROCEED To the Resident Magistrate for the Corporate Area WHEREAS a request has been duly made to me, Dorothy Lightbourne, Minister of Justice, on behalf of the United States of America for the surrender of fugitive Christopher Michael Coke, aka Michael Christopher Coke, aka Paul Christopher Scott, aka “Presi”, aka “General”, aka “President ”, aka “Duddus”, aka “Shortman” who is accused of the extradition offences of (1) Conspiracy to d...

No. 296 The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Government of Jamaica and has the honor to request the extradition of Christopher Michael COKE, aka Michael Christopher Coke, Paul Christopher Scott, Duddus, President, Presi, Short Man, and Gereral. The Embassy has the further honor to submit one original certified, authenticated and three copies of documents supporting the extradition request of Christopher Michael Coke. The Embassy also requests seizure of all articles, instruments, objects of value, documents or other evidence relating to the offenses for surrender with the fugitive if extradition to the United States is granted. COKE is wanted to stand trial on narcotics charges in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. He is the subject of superseding indictment number S15 07 Cr. 917 (RPP), filed on February 19, 2009, charging him with conspiracy to distr...

Major General (Ret.), then Permanent Secretary Ministry of National Security, Stewart E. Saunders gave his assessment of the Extradition Framework: "The steps to be taken when an Extradition Request is made must be clearly and unambiguously set out and must in no way shape, or, form be subjected to the intervention of the political directorate. This process should be treated solely as a judicial process to avoid any opportunity of the said political directorate determining its commencement or conclusion. In the matter before the Commission of Enquiry, the problems that occurred or, manifested themselves, did so because the Security Forces were prevented from carrying out their functions in 2009. This was the first time in our history of effecting such requests that there was political interference of the magnitude that was evident. Jamaica would have been spared the events of May 2010 had this not been so. It is, in my opinion, grossly irresponsible and a breach of loyalty ...

The original plan completed in January 2010 envisioned the JCF role to arrest, search for evidence and execute the warrant on Dudus; whereas the JDF role at the time would be to provide a cordon to allow this to occur. However, the original focus changed. DCP Glenmore Hinds explains: "It did when the situation was no longer a law enforcement activity but a security operation, when the blockades were reinforced with explosives, when men began to fire at our assets, loot and destroy our assets. It became a situation that our law enforcement assets was just not able to respond.”      (Source; Tivoli COE, Day 30, May 26, 2015, p 48) The Operational Report Extradition of Christopher “Dudus” Coke 2010 had identified possible escape routes and counter measures: ‘The subject and other targets may attempt to evade capture by using the following routes to escape from the community: – Industrial Terrace – Spanish Town Road vicinity Tivoli Courts – Lizard Town Entrance – ...

Christopher 'Dudus' Coke  reputedly had tremendous wealth, powerful financial and commercial connections locally and internationally.The actual amount, nature, extent and location have never been made public.The proceeds of his drug running would have been strategically laundered with the assistance of shell companies strategically based in facilitating jurisdictions; business and property holdings arranged so as not to reveal the beneficial owner; and wherever possible, business conducted on a cash or barter basis. Coke had many business associates cum partners and substantial contracts with the Government of Jamaica (GOJ). The full extent of his business relationships with the GOJ has never been made public or verified. Nationwide News Network gave some indication of the number of contracts and the spread of government agencies involved: “Records from the Office of the Contractor General show that Incomparable Enterprise, a company owned and operated by Tivoli Gardens don...

The Dudus Extradition Affair (DEA) produced some memorable quotes which were repeated ad infinitum in nearly every discussion of the topic. The mass media had a field day and some of these quotes were accompanied by attempts at animation which may or may not have been part of the narrative. Below are a few which will bring back memories of those who watched the televised version: Prime Minister Bruce Golding: “ Now, I know that perhaps it is politically expedient to say, well, it’s Coke, or it could have been Mathews Lane strongman, Zeeks, or it could be any of these. I am not defending the wrongdoing of any person, but I will say this, If I have to pay a political price for it, I am going to uphold a position that the constitutional rights do not begin at Liguanea. That’s not where they start.(Applause) (Source: Hansard, Kerr 3:50 02. 03. 10) “There are applications that go to the Minister, the Minister has to examine it. The Minister cannot shut her eye and sign it, she has...

The extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke represents the most significant challenge to Jamaican statecraft to date. Political memories are short. It can be argued that the system is so designed that what has been politically embarrassing is conveniently forgotten. In this series attempts will be made to highlight some of the most potent aspects of this affair.  The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has issued a formal apology to the residents of Tivoli, the members of the security forces and everyone that was involved in this sordid affair.The omnibus nature of that apology makes it completely meaningless and insincere. Furthermore, none of the main players involved in the decision-making processes, or the actual operation, has made an apology or even expressed regret. From their perspective, their actions were completely warranted and justified by the perceived threat to the Jamaican state. Extradition off Christopher Coke involved among other things: *death of 69-73 persons,...

The Constitution of Jamaica is silent on political parties: yet they have played crucial roles in elections to the Parliament and are now governed by regulations requiring them to be registered. It is time to end this hypocritical "political laundering". This silence facilitates the practice of"crossing the floor" by elected representatives in Parliament, without any consultation/approval of the constituency affected and any guidelines or consequences stipulated in the Constitution. The MP, for whatever reason--ranging from disagreement with the party leader/president, unsatisfied political ambitions to sheer political opportunism--simply crosses the floor in Parliament and takes a seat amidst the enthusiastically welcoming colleagues. The is usually accompanied by a letter of resignation from the former party and some release from the other stating that the application for membership was approved by a specially convened meeting of the appropriate sub-committee....

Former Prime Minister in an article entitled " The unfinished business of constitutional reform " The Jamaica Observer, Sunday, April 22,2018 listed among the "other matters which continue to languish although full agreement was reached" the requirement that only citizens of Jamaica are eligible to sit in Parliament. Given the acknowledged voter apathy, the cost of a referendum ($1b), the technicalities of the wording and the prolonged procedures involved, it is hereby suggested that both major political parties give effect to  agreement reached on the eligibility issue. This can simply be done by the adoption of candidacy guidelines that reflect such and  followed by internal vetting of likely candidates for the elections and nominees to the Senate. Prime Minister Andrew Holness indicated the current regime's position on the "dual citizenship debate" in the St. Mary by election, October 2017: "But afterwards, we have to figure out now, bec...

The rub of the Horne Report is the debt collection; that it is somehow critical that " all of the Comrades who collected funds from private sector and other entities, to make a full, transparent, and confidential account of all of the funds  received to the Treasury and the Officers of the Party" Given the lack of trust in both the Treasurer and the General Secretary, as noted by party historian Arnold "Scree" Bertram , there is no chance that the call would have been heeded. Furthermore, Horne stated that senior members were involved in the diversion of funds intended for the Party, then it would be safe to assume that some of those implicated would be part of the officer core. What would be the sanctions or incentives to those implicated to turn over the funds in a "full, transparent, and confidential account"? Is there an inherent conflict/tension between "transparency" and "confidentiality"? The stated purpose of this exerc...

 PNP Treasurer, Norman Washington Horne, made a report to the party's NEC which was "leaked" to the media. Horne's report identified challenges faced by the treasury which in his view played a critical role in the  2016 election defeat. These were: Fragmented political leadership, multiple non-cohesive and disjointed campaigns being run by distinct groupings and individual members of the party; Senior members in the government were actively sourcing funds from the private sector for the sole benefit of their personal campaigns; Contributions earmarked for the Treasury were made to senior party members who neither reported or accounted in full, or even in part, for receipt of those donations; The decision not to debate exacerbated the difficulty in raising funds resulting in "a last minute cash investment and infusion into the JLP."  In sum "there was not one central bank but several  banks; some of which had more resources than the Treasury....