In a letter addressed to the current Director General of the Anti-Corruption Unit on Thursday, August 29, 2024, Raoul Pierre Louis’ lawyer, Sonet Saint-Louis, indicated that his client is ready to confront the presidential advisers whom he accused of asking him for 100 million gourdes to keep his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Credit Bank. However, he demands that they resign from their positions first.
In this correspondence, Sonet Saint-Louis did not fail to criticize the hearings of Louis Gérald Gilles, Smith Augustin and Emmanuel Vertilaire by agents of the Anti-Corruption Unit. Sonet Saint-Louis describes their approach as “hasty”. Which seems to be, according to the lawyer “an attempt at diversion aimed at obscuring the facts at the heart of the investigation and, at the same time, to avoid their possible exclusion from the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT)”.
“This ill-timed step, far from serving their cause, has unfortunately undermined the dignity of the State. Moreover, this thoughtless act not only discredits their intentions; it also opens the gates of hell for all members of the Transitional Presidential Council involved in various corruption scandals, exposing them to increased risks of public and judicial disapproval,” the lawyer wrote.
According to the lawyer, the appearance of the presidential advisers was unsolicited and this “raises serious suspicions about the integrity of the ongoing investigation. “Their presence, apparently orchestrated by actors accustomed to influencing the workings of power, threatens to undermine the foundations of the institutions of our republic. This is deeply disappointing, especially coming from those who are supposed to embody the dignity of the State and who, by their actions, are plunging our republic into an abyss of discredit and unreason,” he denounces.
Me Saint-Louis considers the situation “shameful” and regrettable. “It is unthinkable that the management of the Anti-Corruption Unit would allow itself to be drawn into such machinations that deceive the nation,” he regrets.
“No special immunity”
Sonet Saint-Louis points out that these members of the Transitional Presidential Council do not enjoy any special immunity. “The question therefore remains open: what legitimate relationship can possibly exist between the 1987 Constitution and this Transitional Presidential Council? The answer is clear: none!”, he points out.
“We have enshrined in the 1987 Constitution a key mechanism to preserve the integrity of our state: the impeachment process. This process is implemented by the High Court of Justice, established specifically to try senior state officials when they are accused of crimes committed in the exercise of their functions. This constitutional mechanism aims to ensure that no one, whatever their position, is above the law,” the lawyer argues.
“Unfortunately, our republic is currently governed by a de facto executive that is compromising the application of certain clauses of our Constitution. Article 18 of our fundamental law clearly stipulates the principle of equality of all citizens before the law. In order to ensure a fair and equitable investigation, where all parties are treated without bias, it is imperative that these three councilors in question resign from their positions,” said Mr. Saint-Louis.
He indicates that his client and he will be opposed to “any agreement that could be concluded between the management of the Anti-Corruption Unit and these advisers with the aim of circumventing the law, both on the national and international level.” “It is essential to maintain a minimum of decency in the management of the affairs of the Republic. We cannot tolerate a total lack of respect for our principles,” strongly criticizes Me Saint-Louis.
“Resignation first”
Therefore, Sonet Saint-Louis specifies that his client, Raoul Pierre-Louis, is ready to confront the three accused but asks that the latter resign from their positions so as not to place his client in a disadvantageous position vis-à-vis them. “Compliance with this formal and legal requirement is crucial to preserve the credibility of the investigation and to put an end to this deplorable state decay,” he explains.
The case is currently in the hands of the Anti-Corruption Unit. The three presidential advisers were questioned this week. Nothing has leaked from these hearings.
By: Daniel Zephyr
