Walker to face court February 21

Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

Former Commissioner of Customs Danville Walker is to face the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on February 21, for breaching the Contractor General Act.

Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn ruled on January 26 that Walker should be charged with failure to comply within the prescribed time, with a request from the Office of the Contractor General (OCG).

It is reported that Walker eventually complied days after the deadline set by the OCG.

The former customs boss is also facing a second charge for allegedly obstructing the OCG, in its probe into the Jamaica Customs Department’s approval of scrap metal exports in contravention of a ministerial order.

The OCG’s investigation into the illegal exports began on November 4 last year.

Contractor General Greg Christie had complained that Walker’s failure to cooperate with the OCG’s probe had seriously impeded the progress of his investigation.

Walker, in responding to the contractor general through his attorneys, questioned whether the OCG had authority under the Contractor General’s Act to conduct its investigation.

If found guilty, Walker will be fined $5,000 on each count.

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