Lawyers representing cops charged by INDECOM demand payment
Lawyers representing more than a dozen police officers who have been charged by the Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM) are demanding payment from the Government.
The lawyers claim the government owes them millions of dollars.
The Police Federation has reported the matter to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and the Commissioner of Police.
The Permanent Secretary reportedly met with officials of the Ministry of Finance.
One of the attorneys, Valerie Neita-Robertson, told RJR News that the lawyers agreed to a payment plan in April. However, she said the government is yet to honour the agreement.
“We made recommendations (that) matters that have been completed should be paid in full, retainer fees should be paid for each case, and when the trial begins then the trial fee should be paid in full at the end of the trial,” she outlined.
Mrs Neita-Robertson said the non-payment of legal fees is hampering the lawyers in completing their work.
“We have deadlines because we have trial dates and we have a lot of work to do. We just don’t walk into court like that. There are witnesses that we have to secure, there are other matters that we have to cover so that we can be fully ready for trial,” she insisted.
“While INDECOM has funds to get their cases ready for trial, we need funds to get our case ready for trial, and the only place we get it from is fees. So if we can’t complete what we’re doing then we are hampered,” the attorney further explained.
She said the police officers are becoming frustrated and feel abandoned.