Wilkie Arthur | Eagle Legal News

PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — A 24-year-old Border Force and Immigration Officer, Phillip Smith Jr., has been arrested and formally charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Smith was granted police bail and is scheduled to appear in court on August 5, 2025.

Also charged in connection with the incident is 22-year-old Dequeha Been, who faces the same charge of unlawful possession of marijuana. Been was likewise granted bail and will appear in court on the same date.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Magnetic Media | Eagle Legal News                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Friday, June 6, 2025 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Supreme Court of the Turks and Caicos Islands has ruled that it does not have the power to void the results of the entire February 7, 2025 General Election, putting an end to hopes by the opposition for a fresh national vote.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      His Lordship, the Hon. Justice Chris Selochan, delivered the decision at the Providenciales Supreme Court on Friday, stating plainly:

“The courts in the Turks and Caicos cannot rule a whole general election void.”

This effectively shuts down the core of a petition brought by the opposition People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), which had sought to challenge the election’s validity and press for a do-over. A more detailed written ruling is expected from the court in the coming days.

The PDM had filed its election petition through attorney George Missick of Geordins Law Firm, arguing primarily that the ballot used during the February 7 vote did not conform to legal requirements outlined in the Elections Ordinance. Their concern: that the ballot was never formally passed or approved by Parliament, and therefore not legally valid.

Ahead of the ruling, former PDM leader Hon. Douglas Parnell spoke publicly on the matter, saying:

“The most obvious ground is that the election ballot used was not the lawful one… If legislation wasn’t passed or amended, then the use of this ballot is in breach of the legal framework for elections.”

The 2025 General Election was the first to use electronic tabulating machines. Only one ballot paper was issued to voters, contrary to the Elections Ordinance which mandates two differently coloured ballots, each with specific candidate details, including occupation, and which must be published ahead of the vote.

Despite these concerns, the PDM has not succeeded in overturning the election result in any constituency. Also on Friday, the Supreme Court ruled against the party’s petition for the Blue Hills district, confirming that Hon. Randy Howell of the Progressive National Party (PNP) remains the duly elected MP for that seat.

PNP Swept the 2025 General Election

The February 7 election saw a landslide victory for the ruling Progressive National Party (PNP), led by Premier Charles Washington Misick. The PNP won 16 of 19 seats, completely overwhelming the PDM and securing a renewed five-year mandate.

Voters largely backed the PNP’s agenda of continued economic growth, infrastructure investment, and job creation.

With today’s ruling, the court has cleared the way for the PNP’s victory to stand uncontested, at least on a national scale. However, the PDM’s petition regarding the legality of the ballot paper is expected to proceed to trial, where the court will review whether the election process breached established electoral law.

A written judgment from Justice Selochan is expected to provide further insight into the court’s decision.

Turks and Caicos, May 30, 2025 – Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 8^th meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday April 30, 2025, at the Hon Hilly Ewing Building, Providenciales. All members of Cabinet were present with the exception Honourable Arlington Musgrove, Minister for Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          At this meeting Cabinet:

• Approved headcount adjustments for the 2025-2026 fiscal year for the TCIAA.
• Approved the expansion of probates/administration grants resealing in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
• Approved the establishment of a Family (Community) Court to hear matters affecting juveniles in both the civil and criminal jurisdictions of the Court.
• Approved in principle the establishment of the Office of the Public Defender pending further consultation.
• Confirmed Monday 23^rd June 2025 as the Public Holiday to mark the King’s Official Birthday.
• Approved the appointment and reappointment of the following persons to the Environmental Health Board for a period of three (3) years:
  • Calvin Green, Member
  • TeAndra Thomas, Member
  • Benjamin Walkin, Member
• Approved the appointment of the following persons to District Boards for period of two (2) years:
  • Middle Caicos
    • Earnest Forbes, Chairman
    • Prince Albert Robinson, Member
    • Arthur Forbes, Member
    • Calvin Deane, Member
    • Ethlyn Gibbs, Member
    • Administrative Officer, Middle Caicos District Office
  • North Caicos
    • Lawerance Campbell, Chairman
    • Charles Handfield, Member
    • Addison Gardiner, Member
    • John Gray, Member
    • Wilker Harveston Missick, Member
    • Patsy Grey, Member
    • Shamara Parker, Secretary
  • South Caicos
    • Tikiera Seymour, Chairman
    • Butch Clare, Member
    • Kennedy Lightbourne, Member
    • Requel Basden, Member
    • Nicola Pierra, Member
    • Niles Francis, Member
    • Patrice Thomas, Member
    • Cherimae Cooke, Secretary
  • Salty Cay
    • Alan Dickenson, Chairman
    • Gary Lightbourne, Member
    • Walrico Hanchell, Member
    • Gladys Kennedy, Member
    • Ms. Lioneisha Barranco, Secretary
• Approved the re-appointment of Reginald Charles as Secretary to the Physical Planning Board.
• Approved the commencement of work related to developing options for the potential establishment of a Health Services Authority.
• Approved the appointment and re-appointment of member to the Education Advisory Board for a period of two (2) years:
  • Sonia Williams, Chairman
  • Pastor Bradley Handfield, Deputy Chairman
  • Benjamin Durham, Member
  • Dr. Dawn Perry, Member
  • Antonio Clarke, Member
  • Sharine Lightbourne, Secretary
  • Director of Education, Ex-Officio
  • PS/DPS Education, Ex-Officio
  • President of the TCICC or Designate, Ex-Officio
• Approved the appointment of members to the National Agriculture and Food Security Board for a period of two (2) years:
  • Pastor Courtney Missick, Chairman
  • Tevin Ramsey, Deputy Chairman
  • Javano Forbes, Member
  • Les Burkholder, Member
  • Royal Robinson, Member
  • Internal/Ex-Officio Members including: a representative from the Attorney General Chambers; the Ministry of Health and Human Services; the Ministry of Innovation, Technology, and Energy; the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services; the Ministry of Home Affairs, Religious Affairs, and Transportation; the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture; and the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Fisheries, Agriculture, Maritime Affairs and Gaming.
• Approved an application for an exemption on import duties.
• Approved amendments to the First Time Home Owner Policy.
• Noted an information paper on the progress of the Development Agreement for Palace Resorts.