PORT-OF-SPAIN (Trinidad Express):
A WARRANT was on Saturday issued for the arrest of Energy Minister Eric Williams in connection with bribery allegations made by People's National Movement (PNM) Councillor Dansam Dhansook nearly two years ago.
Justice of the Peace Akbar Khan on Saturday afternoon signed the warrant at the Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain police station, after Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson issued the directive to police to charge Williams for seven counts of corruptly receiving money from Dhansook three years ago.
It was via two letters to Prime Minister Patrick Manning two years ago that Dhansook had alleged he had paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to Williams and former Works Minister Franklin Khan in exchange for lucrative seismic contracts in Mayaro.
This letter was read out in Parliament last April by United National Congress (UNC) Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Manning had referred the matter to the Integrity Commission for investigation.
Khan subsequently resigned as minister and later, chairman of the PNM, when he was charged with six counts of bribery last year. Williams had, however, maintained his innocence and refused to step down from office.
Williams' bail was set at TT$350,000.
STILL AT LARGE
Sources said, though, the Energy Minister had not yet turned himself into police custody.
Williams is being represented by attorney Ravi Rajcoomar and Senior Counsel Desmond Allum, and is due to appear in the Port-of-Spain Magistrate's Court today to answer to the charges. Fresh bail is also expected to be set at this time.
In an immediate response, the Opposition UNC on Saturday called for the immediate resignation of Williams.
Party Chairman, Senator Wade Mark, said in a telephone interview: "We strongly urge Minister Williams to follow the precedent set by his colleague Franklin Khan and resign from his Cabinet post. Failing this, the UNC will be left with no choice but to table a motion of no confidence in Minister Williams in Parliament."
