Que Pasa’s appeal to be heard in May

Antonio “Que Pasa” Gellizeau will have his appeal matter heard at the next sitting of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal in May.{{more}}

On Tuesday at the High Court, counsel Mikhail Charles asked the court to have the matter traversed to the next sitting of the court, and leave for extension of time to appeal and file further affidavits in the matter.

Charles prosecuted the application in the absence of Gellizeau’s other counsel, Shiraz Aziz, whom Charles said is recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident in England on January 8, and Mira Commissiong, who is ill.

Charles, who appeared before a tribunal, stated that he was not fully instructed by his client and noted that certain documents were missing.

“The carriage of this matter which was handed to me has resulted in what could be a significant and substantial prejudice to the rights and interest of Mr Gellizeau…,” Charles submitted.

The application was granted by the court.

Charles told SEARCHLIGHT that despite the difficulties encountered in court, his paramount duty is to the interests of his client.

“Mr Gellizeau’s position ought not to be prejudiced. There are serious questions to be asked and answered… Any further commentary is better left to members of the judiciary and his learned seniors,” he said.

Gellizeau, a businessman, is appealing against conviction in the largest money laundering case recorded in the OECS. He was sentenced by the High Court on July 22, 2013 to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.

Gellizeau was convicted at the Serious Offences Court on March 9, 2012 for concealing on the yacht “Jotobin” on April 5, 2008, at Calliaqua, US$1,733,463 (EC$4,628,346) and for bringing the money into St Vincent and the Grenadines on the yacht.

However, Trinidadian Gilbert Peterson SC, representing the respondents, said the application for extension of leave may cause some problems since four days have already been set aside by the court in February for hearing of the confiscation matter.

“Those proceedings have been adjourned on numerous occasions… the trial judge, in the exercise of his discretion indicated that the matter will proceed in February.”

“The only thing that is going to prevent him (judge) from proceeding is in the event that my friend would be successful to obtain a stay from the court..,” Peterson argued.

In June 2008, several of Gellizeau’s assets were frozen by order of the court. The assets include bank accounts, Flexible Premium Annuities with CLICO and vehicles which were registered to him, his family members and associates. Assets belonging to Gellizeau and his relatives were also frozen in Trinidad and St Lucia.