ATTORNEYS representing the government in a judicial review centred on shanty town demolition have insisted the state “has nothing to hide” while asking the court to deny a request for numerous documents to be submitted, including those that could expose sensitive Cabinet discussions. Kayla Green Smith, on behalf of the crown, told the court this “global discovery” would amount to nothing more than a “fishing” expedition. It was also her position it could further prolong the matter, which has been ongoing since 2018. Ms Green Smith made arguments yesterday before Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson where lawyers representing Respect Our Homes Ltd, led by Martin Lundy, argued there should be full disclosure of notes memoranda, discussions papers, press releases, consultations and other documents that would form the basis of government’s apparent policy to eradicate shanty towns in the Bahamas. ROHL insists this policy is “ultra vires” and is outside of the law.

THE Valley Boys resigned from the Junkanoo Corporation New Providence (JCNP) yesterday, saying they will no longer participate in upcoming parades managed by the body. The bombshell announcement came after parade management team chairman, Anthen Mortimer, announced the Saxon Superstars were crowned the official winners of the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades and Valley Boys took second place in both events. With 81.44 points, Valley Boys were the unofficial Boxing Day parade winners and the Saxons initially came in a close second with 80.01 points. However, the official results put the Saxons in first place with 85.01 points and Valley Boys in second with 81.44 points after a three-point penalty. In a statement posted to the Valley Boys’ Facebook page, group chairman Brian Adderley said: “We trust that a new entity will be put in place to manage future Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades so that justice and fairness can prevail in future Junkanoo competitions.”

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said yesterday he was “very disturbed” and “upset” when a preliminary report by the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana was leaked to The Nassau Guardian last month, noting that it compromised his Cabinet and the commission. “I haven’t seen the report yet,” Minnis said. He added, “[I] was very disturbed that the report had leaked out. I was very disturbed because it compromised my Cabinet colleagues and myself. The press made statements. They asked us questions. We could not respond because we didn’t see it.” In July 2018, the CARICOM Regional Commission on Marijuana recommended the declassification of marijuana as a dangerous drug in all legislation and the reclassification of the drug as a controlled substance, noting it should be treated similarly to tobacco and alcohol. One month later, Cabinet approved the makeup of a commission, which was under the purview of the Ministry of Health, tasked with examining the issue of marijuana in The Bahamas in order to make recommendations to the government. Its recommendations are expected to be tabled and discussed in Parliament.

THE Ministry of Health is still assessing what to do with some $70m worth of “dubious” contracts the Christie administration left in place, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday. “We have met with the architects, some of the contractors, etc (to discuss the contracts),” he said. “I think it’s important to recognise it’s not that we are trying to be obstructive, we need guidance about how to proceed.” The Minnis administration has resisted many contracts executed by its predecessor, questioning their “burdensome” legal implications and value. “So many of these things were written in such a way that in some instances there were no ‘out’ clauses,” Dr Sands said. Last month, Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Bethel ruled in favour of former Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller, finding the previous administration’s lease of his shopping plaza remains “valid and binding”. Mr Miller is seeking damages of more than $66m. The Office of the Attorney General is appealing the ruling.