CASE AGAINST JAMAICAN MAN FALTERS OVER PROCEDURAL VIOLATIONS BY THE STATE

High Court Justice Tunde Bakre has ordered the stay of prosecution proceedings against a Jamaican man for murder, citing violations of due process, unlawful rendition and breaches of immigration laws and procedures. The court found that Methoni Vernon was illegally removed from Dominica to Antigua in 2016, in a manner that bypassed legal extradition channels and immigration protocols.

Vernon had been residing in Dominica when he was detained by Dominican police in 2016. He was forcibly transported to Antigua, where he was arrested upon arrival, despite having been told he was being deported to Jamaica.

The court was shown evidence that no formal extradition request was made, and that Dominican and Antiguan authorities collaborated to circumvent legal deportation and immigration procedures.

The Court ruled that continuing the prosecution would constitute an abuse of its process, stating that the Antiguan authorities failed to follow established legal and immigration procedures in securing Vernon’s return to the jurisdiction.

Vernon’s attorney, Andrew O’Kola has welcomed the ruling, saying, “This case is a stark reminder that the States ought not to circumvent due process to achieve (their) objectives.”