Justice Gino Persaud on Tuesday denied an application by Government Minister Annette Ferguson to muzzle Guyana Times and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.
The Minister had sought an injunction from the High Court to prevent Jagdeo from making statements regarding her acquisition of lands and to restrain Guyana Times from reporting or further publishing anything on the matter.
The unsuccessful injunction was filed in January.
In handing down the ruling, Justice Persaud noted the importance of leaving freedom of speech unfettered especially in an elections period.
Additionally, he pointed out that only in the rarest of libel cases are interim injunctions granted.
“The claimant has failed to persuade the court that this is such a rare or exceptional case…In coming to this conclusion, I’m conscious to the need to ensure the free expression of opinion by those who put themselves in the democratic process for election to the population at large,” he ruled.
In her lawsuit against the Opposition Leader, Minister Ferguson is seeking damages in excess of G$50 million for libel she claimed he committed on separate occasions – December 5 and December 12, 2019 – during weekly press conferences.
On the other hand, in excess of G$10 million is being sought for damages from Guyana Times.
Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall in association with Manoj Narayan represented Jagdeo while Attorney Devindra Kissoon appeared on behalf of Guyana Times.
