Antigua opposition leader in court

Antigua’s Opposition Leader Steadroy Benjamin yesterday appeared in court on the heels of accusations that he certified a fraudulent passport application.



The prosecution said it was not prepared to go ahead with the case against Benjamin.



Benjamin is alleged to have endorsed a passport application photograph that allowed a Jamaican, Anthony Allen, to fraudulently obtain an Antigua and Barbuda passport.



He is accused of doing so, knowing that it was not the true image of Tyrell Brann, a prison escapee, who was shot and killed earlier this year.



However, no charge was read when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ivan Walters and the prosecution requested more time to allow the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to review the file.



The matter has been adjourned to September 23.



The Jamaican, who was charged with forging and uttering the passport, was sentenced to two concurrent two-year prison terms, while the deceased’s mother, Linda Brann, has not been sentenced for her involvement in the scam.