“Completely flummoxed” – Nandlall maintains innocence in vehicle fraud

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall is maintaining his innocence in the case of a vehicle fraud that was brought before the National Assembly on Tuesday by his successor Basil Williams.

Williams on Tuesday told the Committee of Supply that monies in the sum of $16M were allocated for the purchase of a new vehicle under the Legal Affairs Ministry. However, when the vehicle arrived it was a used car instead of a new one.

The Attorney General said that the vehicle was rejected given that it did not meet the purchasing agreement.

He suspected a fraud in the case and pointed fingers at Nandlall who vehemently denied the accusations in the House.

Nandlall at a press conference on Wednesday further maintained his innocence stating that at no time he made a request for a vehicle to be purchased while he was Minister.

He stated that in the 2015 Budget considerations, Williams had stated he needed the vehicle because the current one was causing him some discomfort.

“The Ministry had purchased a vehicle for the use of the vehicle in the year 2013 so obviously I did not request another vehicle in 2014…He was the Minister it was his budget…if the wrong vehicle came it is a matter for him and his staff,” said Nandlall.

The Former AG said that he is “completely flummoxed” by Williams’ attempt to cast the blame in his direction.

“He attempted in a very clumsy fashion to ascribe fault elsewhere…I am completely flummoxed at the outpourings from the Minister in the House,” he stated. 

Williams told the House that the issue would be addressed by the Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee.

(Jomo Brusheildon Paul)