Cabinet Minister, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, has won the first round of his legal battle with the Integrity Commission.
The Supreme Court, on Friday granted him an injunction barring the Integrity Commission from charging him until the hearing and determination of an application for judicial review.
Daina Davy reports.
The South Central St. Catherine MP had sought leave to pursue judicial review against the Commission’s recommendation that he be charged with illicit enrichment.
On Friday, Supreme Court Judge, Justice David Batts, ruled in Dr. Wheatley’s favour.
Justice Batts granted the injunction and Dr. Wheatley’s application for leave to pursue judicial review.
He also recommended that the review be heard by a panel of three judges, given its importance.
Prior to granting the injunction, Justice Batts had invited the Commission to consider an undertaking not to charge Dr. Wheatley until the hearing and determination of the judicial review.
But the Commission, through its lawyers, refused, and the judge granted the injunction.
The Commission’s application for leave to appeal the ruling was reportedly denied.
The IC has alleged that Dr. Wheatley’s assets are disproportionate to his income to the tune of 1-hundred-and-64-million dollars.
But the MP fired back and accused the Commission of failing to take into consideration the sum of 1-hundred-and-68-million dollars in rental income accumulated over a decade.
One of Dr. Wheatley’s attorneys, Abe Dabdoub, says the ruling supports Dr. Wheatley’s decision to file the action.
He says the minister’s legal team will pursue a judicial review.
Other members of Dr. Wheatley’s high-powered legal team in the civil aspect of the proceedings against the IC include King’s Counsel, KC, Ransford Braham, and Neco Pagon.
He has also hired KC Peter Champagnie.
The Integrity Commission is being represented by Kevin Powell KC.
