PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has said “nobody’s above the law”, while suggesting he had nothing to do with the arrests of several Democratic National Alliance (DNA) members earlier this week.
On Monday, DNA Leader Arinthia Komolafe and several party members were arrested and questioned for several hours by police at Central Police Station. They were held in reference to allegations of unlawful assembly on March 3rd when they protested in Parliament square. Police also allege they “pushed on officers” in an attempt to gain entry to the House of Assembly.
Following their release, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle said the party did not have permission to demonstrate as is required by law.
Despite the police chief insisting he does not take instructions from politicians, some see this incident as being politically motivated and have pointed fingers at the prime minister.
However, Dr Minnis made it clear to reporters Friday while in Ragged Island that he found out about what happened through the press reports.
“The first time I found out is when I saw the newspaper like everyone else,” Dr Minnis said. “I heard it in the press but I’m accused of many things. When you’re a leader anything that goes wrong you’re accused for. Things that go right you never receive credit for. So I’m accused of it, but all I would say is nobody’s above the law.
“The Commissioner of Police is constitutionally protected and our forefathers recognised the importance of constitutionally protecting the police which means that if I do wrong constitutionally he can bring the necessary law on me as prime minister. That’s his job. That’s his duty . . .”
Former DNA leader Branville McCartney has questioned whether members of the party acted according to police’s recollection, adding if it were so, the group would have been arrested on the spot.
Speaking to The Tribune recently, the former Bamboo Town MP said the arrests of the nine DNA members was a “travesty to democracy”.
After police contacted both Mrs Komolafe and DNA chairman Omar Smith last week, the group went to the station for questioning. Once there, they were arrested.
“Certainly it was a travesty to democracy for what happened to the DNA and Mrs Komolafe,” Mr McCartney said yesterday.
“To me that reeks of politics and it’s a damn shame that something like that is happening and that the police are being used to facilitate it when in fact we have so many issues going on regarding crime and murders. It’s obvious as to what happened.
“I am flabbergasted that this would have happened in this day and age.”
Mr McCartney further raised the question of the group’s conduct when his attention was drawn to the Commissioner’s account of what took place three weeks ago.
Comments
birdiestrachan 3 years, 9 months ago
Saint Micheal the archangel defend us in the battle. be our safeguard against the malice and snares of the devil.
The masterful liar is at it again I doubt anyone believes him.
TalRussell 3 years, 9 months ago
Not goin' say a word other than no brushin' off the slidin' and slushin' embedded in explain' dialog, following members of a duly decreed under the authority The Queen's Government House, Opposition Party', getting arrested.
Yes, arrested under the instructions of Thee Mr. Minnis's choice for Chief the Royal Constabulary. Yes, began, after em's, handpicked, Chief.
Still, not a whisper over the said Royal Constabulary's investigation into the said have suddenly gone missin,' OBAN file!
John 3 years, 9 months ago
Tight pants Marvin Dames is on a battle for his political life. Maybe the time from now to elections will be one of no police killings. The focus will be on ‘slaying ‘ of political opponents?
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 9 months ago
he "heard" about the theft of the oban files too
JohnQ 3 years, 9 months ago
OMG. It is unabashed insurrection in Parliament square. Time for a version of Fort Pelosi to be installed. Call up the Defense Force........Check all their social media posts, and identify any co conspirator's.
tribanon 3 years, 8 months ago
LOL
DWW 3 years, 9 months ago
so what if he did or not. thats not the point. the green got picked up but the red and yellow are free to roam. double standards abound.
tribanon 3 years, 8 months ago
Only Big Bully Minnis could have approved of the arresting of a lady political opponent by his Gestapo Squad Chief Paul Rolle. The instigation and tacit endorsement of this grave act of political victimization and intimidation by Minnis and Dames speaks volumes about the transformation of our country from a democracy to an authoritarian style police state.
Yes indeed, Minnis certainly does appear to be following the Xi Jinping Playbook for ruthlessly stamping out the voices of his dissenters and political opponents. Truly frightening.
Bahamianbychoice 3 years, 8 months ago
I suppose Minnis also "heard" about the issues at BPL...still waiting on that report regarding the previous Board....
licks2 3 years, 8 months ago
Yall don't have a clue about how the laws in this country work!! For example, just today in the tribune yinna will see how the police arrested a man in the "bush" community for carrying a knife on his person. . .when they asked him about having the knife, he told them to "carry they backside from around him". They arrested him, took him to court. . .where the presiding judge een into the police "interpretation" of what happened. . .they will go by the letter of the law!! Two offences supposed to have taken place here according to the police!! The "bush man" supposed to be dumb but he "asked" the judge how long was his knife!! The police and the court said that the knife was 3 inches long!!!
The man brought to the judge's attention that the Penal Code said that a knife "must" be 6 inches long or longer to constitute an offence of carrying a "dangerous arm"! The judge had no choice than to "throw" that charge outta da court!! Now that man was only convicted for "cussin out" the police them!! If he did keep his "big mouth" shut after the police them told him to stop "cussin". . .he would have "walked" free of all charges!! I say that to say this. . .YINNA CAN TALK ALL DA FOOL YALL LIKE. . .THE REST OF THE WORLD EEN INTA YALL DUMB NONSENSE!!! THEY TAKE OUR LAWS AND JOOK-UP US WITH OUR FOOLISHNESS!!!
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