#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.
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.
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Remanded until July, but her attorney Leanna Brooks-Campbell is likely to make application for bail as the matter is now transfered to the Supreme Court.
American tourist from Orlando, Florida Shanita Shinee Grier, 45, who was arrested Monday, after two bullets were allegedly found in her baggage is the newest defendant facing the stiff penalties associated with breaching the Turks & Caicos Firearms Ordinance.
Grier was exiting TCI at the Providenciales International Airport with her daughter when the ammunition was detected, ending her Mother’s Day trip to the islands on an unexpectedly sour note.
Today, the chief magistrate remanded her to prison until July 5, 2024, however that can change.
She is facing charges of unlawful possession of ammunition; a crime punishable with a minimum 12 year sentence except in the case of a judge ruling that the case falls in the category of “exceptional.”
Then, and only then would it warrant a different sentence by a judge.
Support for the Floridian was impressive; Bryan Hagerich and Ryan Watson and their relatives filled the Magistrate’s Court on Old Airport Road informs Court Correspondent, Wilkie Arthur.
It was a show of patriotic solidarity on an issue which has elicited emotive views on all sides for Americans who are hoping to prove they were tourists on holiday and nothing more.
Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvanian and Ryan Watson of Oklahoma also charged in two separate instances for being in possession of ammunition while wrapping up their TCI vacations in April and May respectively.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
A DAUGHTER reportedly brought her mother to the Turks and Caicos for Mother’s Day, and both were allegedly arrested, leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands today (Monday 13th, May,2024).
Officials say they were found with two rounds of ammunition in their luggage.
Police have confirmed the arrest to Magnetic Media after inquiries.
Turks & Caicos residents are already reacting to this latest report, “dumbfounded” by the mistake which keeps being repeated despite all of the high profile attention the matter has received in leading news organizations and the warning the US Embassy has issued. There is also the well publicized stance of the TCI Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that these individuals must be punished according to the law.
In this newest case, the daughter was released, and the mother remains in police custody pending charge and court appearance later this week.