Senior Reporter
The Judiciary and the Assembly of Southern Lawyers are urging respect for due process and the presumption of innocence as Acting Chief Magistrate Brian Dabideen remains under investigation for corruption.
Their statements followed Monday’s police search of Dabideen’s home in Gulf View, San Fernando, during which officers seized electronic devices as part of a wider probe involving local and international agencies. The case adds to a list of past controversies involving senior judicial officers, though each differs in its facts and outcome.
The Judiciary said that while it was aware of reports about the execution of a search warrant in relation to Dabideen, it would make no further comment to protect the fairness and integrity of any ongoing investigation or legal proceedings.
“The Judiciary recognises the importance of the core legal principles of due process, the presumption of innocence and that all persons are considered to be equal before the law. Given the nature of the matter, the Judiciary will refrain from further comment at this time to safeguard the fairness and integrity of any ongoing investigative or legal processes,” the Judiciary stated.
The Assembly of Southern Lawyers said publicly available information was limited and urged the authorities to proceed independently and fairly. It considered it premature to comment substantively at this stage.
“The information publicly available is limited, and we would not wish to speculate or prejudge any ongoing investigation. The presumption of innocence and due process must be respected, and the relevant authorities should be allowed to discharge their responsibilities independently and fairly,” the assembly said.
Dabideen’s attorney, Prakash Ramadhar, said his client co-operated and voluntarily handed over his electronic devices. He also said Dabideen was willing to assist with the investigation. Dabideen has not been arrested or charged, and his attorneys have denied wrongdoing.
Public awareness of the matter began in June when a newspaper reported that the arrest of a sitting magistrate was imminent. The report did not name the magistrate. Citing an intelligence report, it alleged that a senior judicial officer had received tens of thousands of US dollars in bribes in at least two cases in exchange for favourable rulings.
The alleged instances concerned returning seized local and foreign currency to a person suspected of paying a bribe, and a ruling that firearms should be returned to an accused person. The next day, Dabideen appeared at a news conference with Ramadhar, who said the magistrate had done nothing wrong. Attorney Michael Rooplal also defended him, saying he had acted according to law after hearing the prosecution’s submissions.
A search warrant does not, by itself, establish that an offence has been committed. However, police have described the search as part of a wider probe into reported areas including bribery, public corruption, fraud and money laundering.
Controversies involving senior judicial officers
It is not the first time a senior judicial officer has found themselves embroiled in controversy. In 2006, then-chief magistrate Sherman McNicholls accused then-chief justice Satnarine Sharma of trying to influence how he handled former prime minister Basdeo Panday’s trial over declarations required under the Integrity in Public Life Act. Sharma was discharged from criminal proceedings in 2007 after McNicholls declined to continue giving evidence and be cross-examined.
A separate constitutional tribunal later found no evidence to impeach Sharma. McNicholls faced six disciplinary charges over his refusal to continue testifying. The High Court quashed four; the remaining charges were not finally determined before he retired in 2010.
Former chief justice Ivor Archie faced controversy in 2017-18 over reports of an alleged association with convicted felon Dillian Johnson. The Law Association investigated, and the Privy Council allowed its inquiry to proceed. Then-prime minister Dr Keith Rowley did not recommend a section 137 tribunal. Archie retired in October 2025.
Former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar’s case was different. After her 2017 High Court appointment, questions arose about unfinished cases at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court. The Judiciary said 53 part-heard matters had to restart. She resigned within weeks and later challenged the circumstances, alleging pressure from the Judicial and Legal Service Commission. Her case was not a criminal corruption probe.
