Musa Seeks Dismissal of Budna Constitutional Case

Last week, we told you about former Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa showing up in court, this time as a private citizen, backed by the law firm of Courtenay and Coye. He was asking the court to strike out a constitutional claim filed against him by Joseph Budna. But does Musa still believe Budna’s constitutional rights were violated in the first place? That’s exactly what reporters pressed him on today.

 

Kareem Musa, Former Minister of Home Affairs 

“As much as I am in a court battle with Jospeh Budna in a civil matter and now I am going to be in a court battle with the media for repeating some of the very libelous and defamatory allegations of Arthur Saldivar. I can say to you that Jospeh Budna is within his right to take a matter to the Supreme Court and I have a right to defend myself, because I know I have nothing to do with that. Because, when you look at that it is clear from the video footage that a crime was committed. It does not justify the fact that we are talking about a very dangerous individual and so many vulnerable children are now safe, safer because he is no longer on the streets of Belize. But at the same time, two wrongs don’t make it right. So yes, it is clear a crime was committed. I did everything in my purview including encouraging the release of the video footage, including calling for an independent investigation. In terms of my personal position, I know I did absolutely nothing wrong and I did everything right that I could have.”

 

Musa says he stands by his actions, insisting he did everything within his power at the time, from pushing for the video’s release to calling for an independent investigation. And while he maintains he had no role in the incident at the center of Budna’s claim, he adds that Budna has every right to challenge it in court, just as he has the right to defend himself.