Warns Quarry Company Limited and 16 others (Appellants) v The Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago (Respondent) (Trinidad and Tobago)

Case summary

Case ID

JCPC/2025/0049

Jurisdiction

Trinidad and Tobago

Parties

Appellant(s)

Warns Quarry Company Limited, Warner Construction and Sanitation Limited, Inez Investments Limited, Pres-T-Con 2021 Limited, Allcrete Limited,

Aluko Ato Warner, Robert Wilson, Ruben Mapangala, Ricky Joseph, Corey Charles, Deon George, Shastri Madhoo, Kimal Williams, Willinsque Tobias, Rudy Sahai, Aaron Neptune and Ahmed David

Respondent(s)

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Issue

Did the trial judge err by granting the Respondent permission to file and serve a witness summary?

Facts

On 2 December 2023, officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service entered land known as Five Acres, Vega de Oropouche, Sangre Grande. Four of the Appellants, namely Willinsque Tobias, Rudy Sahai, Aaron Neptune and Ahmeed David, were arrested and charged under section 25(b) of the State Lands Act and various machinery was seized. Following a search of the First and Second Appellants’ properties on 2 May 2024, police officers detained and later charged eight people and took possession of various vehicles and equipment. On 6 May 2024, police officers entered the Second and Fourth Appellants’ properties and seized a number of documents. The Appellants filed a claim against the Respondent and the Director of Public Prosecutions alleging a breach of the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago. At the hearing of the Case Management Conference on 11 November 2024, the High Court granted the Respondent’s application for permission to file and serve a witness summary in respect of Mr Maurice Winshart. The Court of Appeal in Trinidad and Tobago dismissed the Appellants’ appeal. The Appellants now appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Date of issue

4 June 2025

Case origin

PTA

Back to top