00:00Topping the news tonight, Acting Chief Magistrate Brian Dibidine has denied any wrongdoing according to his lawyers who issued a
00:07full statement following a search of his premises on Monday.
00:10Mark Basant has this report.
00:13He's representing Acting Chief Magistrate Brian Dibidine said their client is fully cooperated with police and strongly denies any wrongdoing
00:21following the execution of a search warrant at his home on Monday.
00:24In a statement issued on behalf of Dibidine, Attorneys Prakash Ramada, Michael Ruplal and Vishen Gerwar said their client remains
00:32committed to the rule of law, the proper administration of justice and the principles of integrity and impartiality required of
00:39the judicial office he holds.
00:41According to the Attorneys, Dibidine cooperated fully with law enforcement officers when the warrant was presented and handed over all
00:49devices and items specified by investigators.
00:52The legal team also praised the officers involved commending what they described as a professionalism displayed during the exercise.
01:00The Attorneys stressed that the execution of a search warrant is an investigative step and should not be interpreted as
01:06evidence that any offense has been committed.
01:09They emphasized that no adverse inference of guilt should be drawn from the search and noted that Dibidine remains entitled
01:16to the presumption of innocence and the full protections afforded by due process.
01:20The statement also echoed calls by the judiciary for fairness and restraint while investigations continue.
01:28Dibidine's Attorneys argued that speculation, conjecture and unsubstantiated allegations could unfairly damage not only their client's reputation and professional standing,
01:37but also public confidence in the administration of justice.
01:40While declining to comment on the substance of any ongoing investigation, the legal team said Dibidine expects the process to
01:47be conducted independently, fairly and expeditiously.
01:51Police executed the search warrant at Dibidine's Goldview, San Fernando home on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation.
01:57Several electronic devices and other items were seized.
02:01No charges have been laid against the acting chief magistrate and investigations remain ongoing.
02:07Mark Bessant, TV6 News.
02:09The home of acting chief magistrate Brian Dibidine was searched by police yesterday, as you would have just heard, in
02:15an operation tied to an ongoing investigation involving local and international law enforcement agencies.
02:22Electronic devices were seized during the exercise, which police say forms part of a probe into alleged offenses, including money
02:29laundering, fraud, public corruption and bribery.
02:32While no charges have been laid, investigators described the matter as being at a sensitive stage.
02:38Mark Bessant tells more.
02:41Police officers armed with a judicially authorized search warrant searched the Goldview home of acting chief magistrate Brian Dibidine on
02:49Monday,
02:50seizing electronic devices and other items as part of an ongoing investigation.
02:54The operation was later confirmed by Dibidine's attorney, Prakash Ramada, who said the acting chief magistrate fully cooperated with officers
03:02and voluntarily handed over the requested devices.
03:06Ramada praised the professionalism of the investigators and insisted his client is committed to assisting the probe.
03:12Ramada said,
03:13The acting chief magistrate is extremely cooperative and will do everything to assist whatever investigation and all we ask is
03:22for it to be done comprehensive and to be done quickly to remove any doubts and negative thoughts about the
03:27office or the person.
03:29Close quote.
03:30According to Ramada, Dibidine intends to continue carrying out his duties while the investigation unfolds.
03:36He noted that no charges have been laid and expressed confidence the matter will ultimately be resolved in his client's
03:43favor.
03:43Questions surrounding the search were also put to Commissioner of Police, Alistair Guvero.
03:48Without identifying Dibidine by name, the commissioner confirmed that a warrant had been executed at the residence of a senior
03:55member of the judiciary.
03:56Guvero said the operation was conducted under his direction and coordinated by Deputy Commissioner Natasha George,
04:03with officers drawn from special branch units responsible for white-collar investigations and the multi-option police section.
04:10He revealed that the search is part of a much wider investigation involving both local and international law enforcement partners
04:18as he responded to express journalist Anna Ramada's questions.
04:22In response to your questions, I can confirm that a judicially authorized search warrant was executed today at the residence
04:31of a senior member of the judiciary.
04:33The commissioner declined to discuss specific details of the investigation or any possible next steps,
04:40warning that doing so could compromise ongoing inquiries and any future court proceedings.
04:46At this point, the investigation is at a sensitive stage and thus I am unable to comment on the specific
04:52operational details or any potential future investigative steps.
04:57Guvero, however, stressed that the investigation would proceed without fear or favor regardless of the position held by any person
05:04under scrutiny.
05:05All investigations will be conducted professionally, impartially and without fear or favor, irrespective of the office, status or position held
05:17by any individual who may become the subject of investigative inquiries.
05:22The police commissioner also urged members of the public to avoid speculation while investigators continue their work.
05:29Meanwhile, Ramada says both he and his client welcome a full investigation and are eager for what he described as
05:35lingering suspicions surrounding the matter to be resolved as quickly as possible.
05:39Police have not disclosed what triggered the investigation, nor have they said whether any additional searches or arrests are being
05:46contemplated.
05:47Authorities say the probe remains active and involves cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.
05:53Mark Besant, TV6 News.
05:55Meanwhile, following the surge of the acting chief magistrate's house, the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago issued a brief statement
06:02on the matter.
06:03The judiciary indicated that it was a way of reports concerning the execution of a search warrant in relation to
06:09acting chief magistrate Brian Davidin.
06:12The release further stated, the judiciary recognizes the importance of the core legal principles of due process, the presumption of
06:20innocence and that all persons are considered to be equal before the law.
06:24Given the nature of the matter, the judiciary stated that it will refrain from further comment at this time to
06:31safeguard the fairness and integrity of an ongoing investigation on all legal processes.
06:38Still to come.
