By Onika James Friday, September 18 2009

Attorney General (AG) John Jeremy received a tongue-lashing yesterday from defence attorney Wayne Sturge, when he waded into the AG’s “reckless” behaviour as Head of the Titular Bar.

Sturge who is defending Jamaat al Muslimeen Leader, Abu Bakr, on sedition charges, asked Justice Mark Mohammed to issue a directive to the AG telling him to “shut up.”

During Bakr’s court appearance in the Port-of-Spain Third Assizes, Sturge complained about the Prime Minister’s connection with the Jamaat al Muslimeen, and an assassination plot on his life. Sturge told the court the Prime Minister’s statements just before the close of the law term were “irresponsible.”

The defence attorney noted “My Lord, adverse pre-trial publicity surrounding the events of 1990 is part of history. However, having regard to the ruling of court in 2007, journalists should be cautious against sensationalising issues relative to the accused Abu Bakr.”

Sturge added that since he last addressed the court “things had heated up.”

“My Lord, one would expect commentary, and there is no difficulty with that, but when the AG, the Titular Head of Bar, could stand up in the Parliament, and in spite of the judge’s ruling directed to him in the past, circumvent that ruling, what are we to make of that. He has made vicious attacks on the accused, and matters relating to his credibility, and his Lordship would know that this case deals with a sermon delivered in 2005, and the interpretation of things said in that sermon. His Lordship would appreciate that credibility is the main issue in this case.”

Sturge explained the AG “must know that his statements when made in the House would be circulated to the wider population, and by extension potential jurors.”

He said, “as the AG, Mr Jeremie must know better,” and that “he had used his position in the House to make such reckless statements.” The AG, he said, was “hiding behind this privilege to circumvent the ruling of the court.”

Sturge explained that the Ag’s behaviour may cause the court to further adjourn his client’s matter for a “cooling off” period.

Abu Bakr, also called Lennox Phillip, is facing five counts including charges of sedition, promoting a terrorist act, and inciting others to breach the peace, stemming from the November, 2005, Eid sermon at his Mucurapo mosque.

The case will be heard on September 22.