Courtenay Moves to Strike Out Budna’s Claim Against Minister Musa

Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay has asked the court to strike out the constitutional claim against former Police Minister Kareem Musa in the Joseph Budna abduction case. In an interview this afternoon, Courtenay stated that there is no legal or factual basis for the suit to proceed.

He added that constitutional claims against the State must be brought against the Attorney General, not individual ministers. “As a matter of law, the case is not properly conceived as against the minister,” he said.

According to Courenay, Budna’s 149-paragraph affidavit makes only “alluding” references to Musa and presents no evidence linking him to the alleged kidnapping or abuse.

Budna was kidnapped in Orange Walk Town on August 22nd, 2025, near the police station. He alleges his abduction was state-ordered.

“This is a serious matter, and we are in a court of law, and Mr. Budna must present his evidence now for the judge to determine whether or not to strike out the claim,” Courenay stated.

Budna’s attorneys argued that evidence and witnesses would be produced later. Courtenay dismissed that position. “You cannot say, ‘I will tell you the evidence later,’” he said. “Street facts do not constitute evidence.”

Courtenay said it would be unfair for his client to shoulder legal expenses arising from a claim that should have been brought against the Attorney General. He confirmed that an application for costs has already been filed, stating, “They said that they sued this man not in his capacity as minister, then they must pay for it.”