Walker, OCG court battle resumes

Jerome Reynolds, Gleaner Writer

The full Court comprising three judges will this morning hear an application brought by Former Commissioner of Customs, Danville Walker, who is challenging an order from the Office of the Contractor General (OCG).

Walker took the matter to the Constitutional Court, after his application was dismissed by both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

The former customs boss is questioning the OCG’s authority under the Contractor General’s Act to probe the Customs Department.

He is also challenging a recommendation from the Contractor General that charges be brought against him.

Walker was charged following a ruling by the Director of Public Prosecutions, after the Contractor General wrote to her complaining about his lack of cooperation in a probe into breaches by the Customs Department.

The Customs Department had approved the exportation of scrap metal in contravention of a ministerial order.

Walker is charged with failure to comply in the prescribed time with a request from the OCG and obstructing an investigation of the Office.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.

If convicted, Walker faces a fine of $5,000 for each of the two charges.

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