The documentation which attorney-at-law Hal Gollop suggested was necessary before the extradition case against Jason Forde could proceed, was not produced before Magistrate Graveney Bannister today.
The matter against the former male nurse was therefore adjourned until September 17.
Forde, who resides at #2 Constance Drive, Seaview, Chancery Lane, Christ Church, is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a person with a mental disorder, sometime on or before May 10, 2004.
Should he be extradited, he will face seven additional charges arising out of incidents, which allegedly took place at a psychiatric hospital in Westminster, United Kingdom, where Forde was employed as a nurse.
At the start of yesterday’s hearing before Magistrate Graveney Bannister, Gollop QC submitted that the Crown had no status in the matter since the DPP’s office could not represent a foreign state without a directive from the Attorney General. The lawyer cited Section 79A–2 subsection (b), which authorizes the Attorney General to give permission to the DPP to act in respect of any right or obligation of Barbados under international law. He asked that evidence of that authority be provided.
Hal Gollop QC
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Donna Babb-Agard QC said she would try to have the documentation “in hand” so she could present it to the court and to Gollop, who is representing Forde.
The matter is being heard in the District ‘A’ Traffic Court and will determine whether Forde will be extradited to the UK to stand trial.