SUN TRUST THE BUILDING OF SHAME!! Building of shame and corruption?. This was the name given to Sun Trust Building, of which the Jugnauth family is the major owner, by its political detractors in 1995. While Sir Anerood Jugnauth was the Head of government, the ministries of Education and Employment rented offices in this building. However, after the Labour Party won the elections, the latter refused to occupy the offices in that building and moved out. The Sun Trust consequently claimed damages from the State for failure to honour its contractual obligations. While the prejudice caused to the Sun Trust is now being repaired, another scandal has arisen. Is Pravind Jugnauth, both leader of the MSM and owner of Sun Trust Building, favouring public interest or his own ? ?There was absolutely no evidence to contradict or question the plaintiff?s (Sun Trust) claim regarding the loss and prejudice suffered as a result of the cancellation of the contract nor was there an iota of evidence adduced by the defendant (The State) that could show that plaintiff?s claim for damages is excessive and should be reduced.? This statement by the judge in the matter of Sun Trust v. State of Mauritius is the source of a new scandal. Though the State has been enjoined to pay the huge sum of Rs 45 million to the Sun Trust, it has not even tried to defend itself. Insignificant evidence Soon after the judgment, the leader of the Opposition, Navin Ramgoolam, declared: ?The population is angry and outraged. The Jugnauth family will pocket Rs 45 million.? He then pointed out that, contradictory as it may seem, he was not questioning the judgment. Navin Ramgoolam should not forget that, as Prime Minister at that time, he was the one to create the first scandal by failing to abide by the contractual obligations. It had been expressly agreed by the parties ? the owner had anticipated everything ? that ?in case the lessee wishes to determine the present lease before its expiry (?), the lessee shall pay to the lessor the amount of rent due for the period during which the premises shall remain unoccupied from the date of cancellation to the date of expiry?. Mauritius is a constitutional state where all citizens ? and particularly the government ? have to abide by the law. However, the judge highlighted that the evidence adduced by the defendant was brief and insignificant. Could that indifference mean that Pravind Jugnauth was not really interested in defending the State? In fact, he was the legal counsel for Sun Trust. Anyway, as Finance Minister, he will soon draw the Rs 45 m cheque for the trust managed by the Jugnauth family? As far as Prime Minister Paul Bérenger is concerned, he seems quite embarrassed, as he was then the Labour Party partner in government. In the previous scandal, he was the one to call Sun Trust Building ?the building of shame and corruption?. Now that he owes his post of Prime Minister to his alliance partner, the MSM, will he be in a position to make any comment? Pauline ETIENNE
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:07:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015