New twist in dual-citizenship case
Published:Thursday | September 16, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Shahine Robinson, the member of parliament (MP) for North East St Ann, has been asked to respond to documents filed in the Supreme Court as to whether she is in fact an American citizen.
The documents are an alien registration card and a naturalisation certificate, both dated January 21, 2006.
The documents were filed by elector Manley Bowen who is contending that Robinson has dual citizenship and should not be an MP.
Bowen is asking Robinson to verify whether it was true that on January 26, 2006, she swore allegiance to a foreign power. He is contending that when Robinson was nominated for the September 2007 general election, she was an American citizen.
A pre-trial review is to take place today before Supreme Court Judge Roy Jones to ascertain that everything is in place for the hearing which is set for five days, commencing October 4.
Bowen's lawyers, Abe Dabdoub and Raymond Clough, have subpoenaed journalist Cliff Hughes to present tapes and transcripts of an interview he had with Robinson in August 2007. Hughes is to present them at the election-petition hearing.
Justice Jones had declared the seat vacant in May because Robinson did not comply with the case-management orders to file a proper defence and supply statements and disclosures.
Robinson was successful in June in her application to set aside the court order which had forced her out of Parliament.