Danville Walker pleads not guilty

Barbara Gayle and Crystal Harrison, Gleaner Writers

Former Commissioner of Customs, Danville Walker, has pleaded not guilty to breaches of the Contractor General Act.

Walker made his first appearance in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court in relation to the case this morning.

He is charged with failure to comply within the prescribed time with a request from the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) and obstructing an investigation of the Office.

The former customs boss was summoned to court following a ruling by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

This morning Walker was ordered to return to court on April 4.

He is being represented by attorneys-at-law Dr. Lloyd Barnett and Keith Bishop.

Contractor General Greg Christie wrote to the DPP recommending that Walker be charged in relation to the OCG’s probe into the Jamaica Customs Department’s approval of scrap metal exports in contravention of a ministerial order.

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

Meanwhile, the former customs boss is challenging the Contractor General’s recommendation that he be charged.

Walker brought an application in the Supreme Court yesterday seeking leave go to the Judicial Review Court.

Justice David Fraser, who heard the matter in chambers, has reserved judgement until March 6.

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