TCI News
Turks and Caicos Judicial Appointments announced by Governor
#GrandTurk, Turks and Caicos Islands — Thursday, 20th February 2020 Ensuring there is a vibrant Judiciary that not only dispenses justice, but provides balance to the Executive, is an essential element of democratic law-abiding society.
I’m announcing today three new judicial appointments: the next Chief Justice, a second Judge and the appointment of a new Chief Magistrate for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Over the next month or so I’ll be announcing further judicial appointments linked to the Appeal Court.
In keeping the public informed, let me start by saying something about the process as well as the result.
In making judicial decisions the Governor is not alone. He has outstanding counsel. He makes his decision based on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; a group of three very senior and experienced Judges.
The Commission who advise the Governor are: Justice Sir Michael Barnett, a former Chief Justice of the Bahamas and now a Judge on the Appeal Court of the Bahamas. Justice Hilary Philips, President of the Court of Appeal of Jamaica and Justice Zaila McCalla a former Chief Justice of Jamaica.
It is the JSC who sift the applicants and then choose which applicants they will interview. It is the JSC, and not the Governor, who conducts the interviews. Using the role of Chief Justice as an example the role was advertised internationally, not just regionally, and the JSC received a very strong field of applications.
From this field the JSC chose to interview seven candidates. They don’t ask the Governor’s views on individual candidates either before the sift or before the interview. They did consult with the President of the local Bar and they did canvass individuals to see if there was interest from members of the senior Bar in TCI; no local candidates chose to put themselves forward this time for the role of Chief Justice.
The JSC also canvassed the Governor’s view, not in terms of named candidates but any special requirements the Governor might identify. I said that beyond being an excellent Jurist, and having an independent spirit, TCI needed a Chief Justice with the energy and experience of taking through change in the Justice Sector.
The blue print for that change has been crafted by our outgoing Chief Justice with significant support from those in the wider criminal justice stakeholder group. As a result, all those interviewed were provided with a copy of the Strategy and interviews included questions about approach and implementation.
With regard to the appointments I am now announcing, I have acted on the advice of the JSC, not only in terms of the appointment of a successful named individual, but also in terms of the type of contract that underpins the appointment.
The Islands new Chief Justice will be Mrs Justice Mabel Agyemang.
Mabel Agyemang of Ghana
Justice Agyemang has worked as a Superior Court Judge in three Commonwealth Jurisdictions. At present she is a Justice of the Court of Appeal in Ghana.
She is a product of the University of Ghana and the Ghana School of Law, she was in private legal practice from 1987 to 1991 when she joined the Judiciary of Ghana. In 2002, she was appointed a High Court Judge.
From 2004 to 2014 she was seconded to the Commonwealth Secretariat as an expert to the Judiciaries of The Gambia and Swaziland where she worked as a High Court Judge. She was then appointed an expert Judge of The Gambia Court of Appeal. From 2013 to 2014 she was the Chief Justice of The Gambia. She took up her present role in 2015.
It is worth saying something about her departure from her role in the Gambia. This is a badge of significant honour. She stood up to an autocrat – one of Africa’s most notorious strongmen – Yahya Jammeh – whose 22-year rule only ended in 2017. Through integrity and courage, she attempted to protect the Judiciary from an overarching executive.
It’s probably best I give, as but one example, evidence provided by the Bar Council in the Gambia.
Justice Agyemang was elevated to the position of Chief Justice, a very difficult position to hold in an autocratic regime. The Bar welcomed her appointment as we strongly believed in her independence and capacity to steer the justice system. During her tenure as Chief Justice, she had firm control of the judiciary, as well as the support of the judges, the Bar Association and the judicial staff. She instilled a culture of discipline and professionalism in the Judiciary. The attitude to work by judicial officers dramatically changed, and they became more professional and effective. Punctuality was expected of everyone and she led by example. She introduced reforms to ensure access to justice to litigants and to minimize the unnecessary delays in the dispensation of justice. She initiated the amendment of the Rules of Court to ensure expeditious determination of cases. She was a driver of innovation and reform, introducing ICT solutions to Judges for case law research amongst other things.
It was regrettable that despite her excellent and successful tenure, the President at the time unlawfully terminated her services to the dismay and disappointment of the entire legal fraternity. At that period of the time, the then autocratic President was doing everything possible to control the Judiciary. Indeed, the departure of Justice Mabel Agyemang was sorely felt, as she left an indelible mark in our judicial sector.
The new Chief Justice herself asked the JSC that she be employed on a three-year contract and that was the JSC’s recommendation to me, which I have accepted.
The Islands new Puisne Judge will be Ms Tanya Lobban-Jackson.
Ms Tanya Lobban-Jackson has been the extremely effective Chief Magistrate of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Magistrates Courts, where the vast majority of cases are heard have had conviction rates of 80% that mirror the UK’s and they have a reputation for efficiency.
Ms Lobban-Jackson was appointed to the post of Chief Magistrate of the Turks and Caicos Islands in August of 2016. In that post she was ex officio Coroner and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty Authority.
Prior to being appointed to the Magistracy, Ms. Lobban-Jackson was a Senior Prosecutor in Jamaica and Senior Crown Counsel in the Cayman Islands gaining eighteen years’ experience in advocacy in the Magistrate’s Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
Trained in the areas of Child Safeguarding, Human Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Case Management; she was first appointed to act as Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of the Turks and Caicos Islands in December of 2018 and has done so periodically since then.
Ms Lobban-Jackson as Chief Magistrate alongside her now colleague Mr Justice Aziz, who remains with us in TCI, have both been instrumental in building a consensus in the TCI Judiciary that has resulted in the strategy that the new Chief Justice will drive forward.
The JSC’s recommendation was that Ms Lobban-Jackson should be appointed with tenure until she reach’s the age of constitutional retirement. A recommendation that I have accepted.
Mr Jolyon Hatmin will be the next Chief Magistrate of TCI.
Mr Hatmin was appointed Resident Magistrate in the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2012. Prior to this he was the Managing Attorney of the Legal Aid Authority in his native Guyana, representing clients at the civil and criminal bar. He also worked as a Legal Advisor to the Guyana Sugar Corporation and was a public prosecutor for several years. He was first admitted to the Bar in 2000.
Mr Hatmin has built a reputation for sound judgements in his role as a Magistrate and his promotion will also allow him a seat at the senior stake-holders group that will take forward reform of the Justice sector and is to be welcomed.
In Summary: We will have in TCI a reforming Chief Justice, a Chief Justice who has won the respect of the Bar and Bench in multiple Commonwealth jurisdictions, a Chief Justice highly regarded by the Commonwealth Secretariat, and a Chief Justice who stood up for the Judiciary against an extremely powerful autocratic Executive.
Working with her we will have two excellent Judges, Justice Aziz and Justice Lobban-Jackson who have been instrumental in building the strategy that our new Chief Justice will take forward. The appointment of Mr. Hatmin as Chief Magistrate – and the elevation of Justice Lobban-Jackson -should reassure TCI that a drive for improvement, through change, will not be at the expense of continuity.
PRESS RELEASE FROM TCI GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Turks and Caicos, June 23, 2026 – A police briefing intended to update the public on crime trends in the Turks and Caicos Islands instead exposed what may be one of the most significant criminal investigations currently underway in the country.
When questioned about the June 14 shooting on Bible Street, Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey revealed that the incident stemmed from an
anti-human trafficking operation during which 12 women believed to be victims of human trafficking were rescued by law enforcement.
“The officers were engaged in an anti-human trafficking operation… 12 females were rescued or victims of human trafficking were rescued, and they are in our care and that investigation is advanced,” Bailey told reporters.
The revelation stunned many who had linked the Bible Street shooting to other recent violent incidents, including the June 12 murder in Five Cays. However, the Commissioner indicated the confrontation was connected to the anti-human trafficking investigation, though he declined to provide further details due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing case.
More than a week later, authorities continue to maintain that the investigation remains active. Magnetic Media has confirmed with police officials that no arrests have yet been made in connection with the alleged human trafficking operation.
The Commissioner also sounded the alarm over what appears to be an emerging trend involving teenage boys and serious criminal activity. In discussing recent incidents, Bailey suggested that some young offenders are operating within organized criminal networks and warned that law enforcement alone cannot solve the growing problem.
“My experience tells me that once they reach a threshold it is very difficult to bring them back,” Bailey said. “The social agencies will have to
get involved. We have to find a way to reach these unattached youth and to engage them and to create that positive reinforcement in their life.”
Despite those concerns, Bailey reported that overall crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands continues to trend sharply downward.
According to police statistics presented at the briefing, murders have fallen from 13 at this point last year to just one in 2026, representing a 92 percent reduction. Attempted murders have fallen by 100 percent, kidnappings by 75 percent, robberies by 34 percent, aggravated burglaries by 22 percent, firearm possession offences by 50 percent and incidents involving the discharge of firearms by 85 percent. Police reported that nearly every major category of serious crime has declined compared to the same period last year.
The lone murder recorded in the Turks and Caicos Islands for 2026 occurred on June 12 in Five Cays. While no arrest has been made in that case, the Commissioner indicated that investigators believe they know who is responsible.
“I am convinced and I am positive that the perpetrator is a teenager,” Bailey stated.
The press conference was held at Police Headquarters in Providenciales.
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Turks and Caicos, June 23, 2026 – While nearly every major category of serious crime is trending downward in the Turks and Caicos Islands, police statistics reveal one troubling exception: rape.
Speaking during a press conference at Police Headquarters in Providenciales, Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey reported a five percent
increase in rape cases compared to the same period last year, making it the only major crime category to record an increase in 2026.
The increase comes as police celebrate dramatic reductions in murders, attempted murders, kidnappings, robberies and firearm-related offences.
However, Bailey cautioned that the statistics surrounding rape cases are often more complex than they initially appear.
Responding to a question from the media, the Commissioner explained that some complainants report rape but later choose not to support police investigations. In other cases, the alleged offender is known to the complainant, creating additional challenges for investigators.
“We have some of those reports where persons make allegations which have not been proven because they will come and say they have
been raped, but they do not support an investigation,” Bailey explained.
The Commissioner stressed that police are required to document and investigate all reports made to law enforcement, regardless of whether a complainant later decides not to proceed.
“Once you make a report, we have to record it and we have to fulfil our obligation,” he said.
Bailey also noted that in many reported cases, the alleged perpetrators are individuals known to the complainants.
While acknowledging that some reports may ultimately not result in charges or convictions, the Commissioner emphasized that every allegation must be treated seriously and investigated appropriately.
The figures underscore an ongoing challenge for law enforcement and social service agencies as the Turks and Caicos Islands continues to work toward reducing violence and protecting vulnerable members of the community.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos continued its strong commitment to sports development in
the Turks and Caicos Islands with its sponsorship of the 2025/2026 Provo Men’s Premier League, a partnership that has significantly elevated the competition for a second consecutive year.
The season, which saw an increase in participating teams and heightened competitiveness across the league, has been widely regarded as one of the most successful in recent years. The top honours were shared between two of the league’s most dominant sides, SWA Sharks FC and Academy Eagles FC, both delivering consistent and high-level performances throughout the campaign.
Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) Technical Director Dane Ritchie highlighted the critical role Beaches Turks and Caicos played in strengthening the league’s structure and overall quality.
“The sponsorship from Beaches Turks and Caicos for the second year helped tremendously in making the competition a success,” Ritchie said. “This season we were able to have a more structured programme with the inclusion of youth talents coming to the fore, as well as the improvement of the coaching staff for the different teams being certified by Concacaf.”
Ritchie noted that the enhanced organisation of the league created more opportunities for emerging players, while also raising the
standard of coaching and match preparation. The integration of youth talent into senior teams was particularly impactful, signaling a positive shift toward long-term player development within the territory.
Provo Men’s Premier League President Patrick Baptiste echoed these sentiments, describing the season as a milestone for both football and youth advancement in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“This was a very good year for football and youth development,” Baptiste said. “We were able to overcome a few challenging moments, but the overall grade for this season is an A.”
Baptiste emphasised that the continued support from Beaches Turks and Caicos has been instrumental in driving the league forward, providing much-needed financial backing and stability.
“With a title sponsor like Beaches Turks and Caicos providing the financial support again for this season, we are grateful,” he added. “We have come a far way and we still have a way to go, but the TCIFA team has been charged to continue to be creative in our marketing and being more inclusive in how we seek to showcase the talents of the TCI.”
Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort General Manager Deryk Meany also expressed satisfaction with the partnership and the overall progress
of the league.
“Our commitment to youth development and the growth of sports and community throughout the TCI is of paramount importance to us as an organisation,” Meany said. “We are satisfied with this partnership and being the main sponsor is a major accomplishment for the resort. We are happy to have fielded a team this season that was placed fourth in the knockout round of the competition. We are seeking to continue to provide growth for our team members as well as the development of talent throughout the TCI.”
The 2025/2026 season also reflected broader efforts to professionalize football operations locally, including improved scheduling, officiating standards and fan engagement initiatives. Matches drew increased attendance, while community interest in the sport continued to grow, particularly among young athletes aspiring to compete at higher levels.
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