Danville vs Dabdoub - EOJ boss, PNP candidate square off outside court
December 20, 2007
After having his feathers ruffled while under cross-examination, Director of Elections Danville Walker lost his cool yesterday and had to be restrained by a female lawyer, as he approached People's National Party (PNP) candidate Abe Dabdoub in a threatening manner outside a courtroom at the Supreme Court in Kingston.
Walker had engaged Dabdoub outside the courtroom in a short, heated conversation, in which the director of elections used expletives to Dabdoub.
Giving evidence
The EOJ boss was giving evidence in the election petition which Dabdoub brought against Daryl Vaz, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament for West Portland, challenging his eligibility as MP.
Dabdoub's lawyer, Gayle Nelson, had questioned Walker about a telephone conversation that he had with Dabdoub about notices of disqualification, which were being circulated in west Portland prior to the September 3 general election.
On leaving the courtroom during the luncheon adjournment, Walker remarked that Dabdoub should play the tape if he had one. Dabdoub remarked then that Walker should stop politicising his office and commented further that Walker had become political.
Walker, with his fist clenched, engaged Dabdoub in a conversation which became heated and ended only when a female lawyer held Walker's hand and led him away.
Walker who was called as a witness by Vaz, said it was still his view that all the candidates in the September 3 general election were properly nominated. He was testifying before Chief Justice Zaila McCalla.
Walker said that he (Walker) was not on the voters list. He also said under cross-examination that he is an American citizen.
Dabdoub ... People's National Party candidate. - File
Dabdoub is contending that Vaz has dual citizenship and therefore cannot be a MP because he has pledged allegiance to a foreign power which is in breach of the Constitution.
Gayle Nelson questioned Walker at length about two press releases he issued in August telling electors to go out and vote because all the candidates were properly nominated....
Author: Barbara Gayle
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
