ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Oct. 01, 2014, CNS – The passport fraud case against Attorney General Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin was dismissed Wednesday.
All the charges were dropped after Police Commissioner Vere Browne told the court that the police did not have sufficient evidence to prosecute Benjamin.
Browne said one of the key witnesses to Benjamin’s case, Jamaican Shane Alleyne, could not be found.
Benjamin is accused of forgery in relation to a passport application he signed for Alleyne who later obtained the passport using the identity of a dead Antiguan.
Both Alleyne and Linda Brann, the mother of the dead Antiguan, were convicted and jailed for two years in 2008 for their role in the incident.
Benjamin was at the time a practicing lawyer and Notary Public.
When Benjamin was appointed to the position of Attorney General this year under the ruling Antigua & Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) said it was wrong. The party said its concern had nothing to do with Benjamin’s capability, but because he was given responsibility over the police and prison – the groups dealing with his case.
From the onset, Benjamin maintained he was innocent of any wrongdoing and had repeatedly expressed confidence this would be proven in court.
CNS/ml/2014
