Government Battles Ombudsman in Court Over Redistricting Legal Fees

A major showdown continues to between the Government of Belize and the Ombudsman, and it all started with one word: transparency. Ombudsman Gilbert Swaso told the Attorney General, ‘Show us the numbers.’ Specifically, the legal fees tied to the redistricting case. Here’s how it all began, social activist Jeremy Enriquez filed a Freedom of Information request. He wanted to know how much taxpayers are paying for this fight. That request was denied. So, Enriquez turned to the Ombudsman, who ruled that at least some of those details should be disclosed. But the AG is maintaining his position. In fact, he’s asking the court to toss out the Ombudsman’s decision entirely. So, what’s really at stake in this legal tug-of-war? We put that question to Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay, his law firm, Courtenay Coye LLP, is the one contracted by the Attorney General’s ministry.

 

Eamon Courtenay, SC, Attorney-at-Law

“All I will say is this, the Attorney General has discussed it with me and he has given me the reasons why not only does he think the interpretations by the Ombudsman is incorrect, but also the problems that it creates for the Attorney General to hire any law firm, if there are going to be the disclosures. I will not say to you what my personal opinion is on the matter, I just will say that I understand the concerns of the Attorney General.”