DPP says no need for statement from commish in bribery case

Livern Barrett, Senior Gleaner Writer

The office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has reversed its decision for the Police Commissioner Owen Ellington to give a statement in the bribery case involving three high profile Jamaicans.

DPP Paula Llewellyn made the announcement in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court this morning when the case was again mentioned against West Portland MP Daryl Vaz; St Andrew Businessman, Bruce Bicknell; and head of the police community safety and security branch, Senior Superintendent James Forbes.

Forbes and Bicknell are charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, while Vaz has been charged with breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act.

The case relates to the alleged attempt by Bicknell to bribe Sergeant Jubert Llewellyn by the businessman and the alleged efforts of Forbes and Vaz to have the businessman absolved.

READ: Corruption worries deepen for SSP Forbes

According to the DPP, in one of the witnesses’ statements, reference was made to Ellington but it was not very significant.

As a result, she said a statement from Ellington would not be of assistance to prosecutors.

In court on August 22, deputy DPP Dirk Harrison had reported that the case file was almost complete save for a statement from Police Commissioner Owen Ellington.

"Based on some intelligence we have, we need a statement from the commissioner," Harrison said.

Hours later, the Commissioner refuted claims he had failed to honour a request for a statement from him in the corruption case against the three high-profile Jamaicans.

Commissioner Ellington said neither the office of the DPP nor the investigator in this matter has requested a statement from him.

The Commissioner also said he did not know or have any interest in knowing the individual investigator in the matter.

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