SIPT trial in TCI, impediment or political gimmick?

It’s time to bring an end to the SIPT trial or compel the British Government to pay for its continuance.

SIPT – an acronym for “Special Investigation and Prosecution Team” in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Since its commencement in the first few months of December 2015, despondently, it has officially become one of the longest if not the longest corruption trials in history.

With news stories developing so rapidly on social media these days, how easy it is for one to forget what’s going on with this once closely watched trial. The time has come for our people to wake up and realise the financial impact this trial having on our country.

Our economy is finally making a remarkable rebound from the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; yet, the trial

BY ED FORBES

of the century is on its eighth year and is still ongoing with so many uncertainties and leaving more questions than answers.

To make matters worse, we the people are being forced to continue bearing the cost of this trial, with no end in sight.

According to their projections in 2018, reported by TCI Weekly News, the price tag was set to top $36 million. There have been endless adjournments and delays which have caused the process to drag on. One could only imagine the absorbing cost leading up to 2023.

With a lifelong career in fighting major crimes both civilly and criminally, I have always been of the mind-set that we should let justice take its course. Nevertheless, how much longer can the country endure this burden?

In my opinion, from the onset of this trial, the cost of any special investigation and the prosecution team should have been footed by the British government. I am sure there are others out there who share similar sentiments.

As a British overseas territory, we have a rule of law in place that governs transfer of land protocols, and the governor has veto powers. Therefore, if the buck stops with the governor who is an appointed British head of state, why are the people of this great country bearing the brunt of this burden?

With the rising cost of inflation, in times like these, such funds could be better used to offset the cost of basic staple food items, energy, and fuel factor, etc.

By no means am I excusing any alleged wrongdoing on the behalf of the named defendants, because I frown upon corruption at any level.

Nevertheless, let’s be real here, place the financial responsibility on the shoulders of the British government where it should be.

Bullied or no bullied, if any documents were presented to the governor on the basis of a false prospectus or a false proposition by cabinet ministers as alleged, the governor had the authority to question it. He also had representatives from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office at his beck and call.

Former Governor Dakin stealthy exhibited that during his reign, and in essence, who really calls the shots. This proves that it’s not so easy to strong-arm a person in his position.

Our people should be up in arms over the lack of full accountability in this matter. This goes way beyond partisan politics and this is where we need to unite for once for the betterment of our fellowmen. This trial is having unparalleled effects on our tight fiscal budgets and a fragile tourism-driven economy.

For the good of the country, let’s develop an appetite to collectively voice our opinions and remove this undeserved burden from off our backs, and the backs of our future generation.

Let’s put country before party and not fight against one another, but against what I would consider entrenched and arbitrary systems of colonial and political injustices.