Attorney General Anand Ramlogan refused to say how much of the $15 million-plus paid to commissioners in the commission of enquiry into the 1990 attempted coup so far have been paid to commissioner Dr Hafizool Mohammed. “No, I will not (answer),” Ramlogan told the Senate yesterday. He insisted that Mohammed was “eminently qualified” for the job.
“Dr Hafizool Mohammed was appointed to serve on the commission of enquiry because there was a requirement for someone with military training and experience. “We verified that before his appointment and subsequently the credentials concerning his training and experience in the military in the United States have checked out and, yes, he is eminently qualified to serve on the commission,” he said.
He was responding to a question from PNM Senator Faris Al-Rawi, who asked if the questions over Mohammed’s CV entitled him to receive the quantum of payment he has received. Ramlogan came under fire from Al-Rawi and PNM Senators Terrence Deyalsingh and Fitzgerald Hinds, who threw a barrage of questions at him on Mohammed’s qualifications.
A T&T Guardian report earlier this year showed inconsistencies in Mohammed’s CV. The report said he listed a master of science (MSc) in military science from the US Army Staff and Command College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, but checks revealed he only obtained a diploma. The pounding of the AG over Mohammed’s qualifications in the Senate began with a question on the Order Paper on the cost of the enquiry
Deyalsingh asked if the findings and recommendations of the enquiry might be invalidated by the poor qualifications of some members of the commission. Ramlogan asked for that to be put in writing. Unrelenting, Deyalsingh wanted to know what mechanism was used for the hiring of the professionals. “The State used the same criteria and procedure that were employed in the Uff commission of enquiry and that was based on competence, expertise, merit and ability,” Ramlogan replied.
If any of the professionals were found to be not suitable, would they be required to pay back monies to the State? Deyalsingh asked. “Obviously it will have to depend on the facts and circumstances of each particular case,” Ramlogan said. “I refer specifically to the question of Dr Hafizool Mohammed. Will he be required to refund any monies to the State?” Deyalsingh asked again. “I am not aware any of the commissioners appointed on the two commissions have been so found,” the AG said.
Al-Rawi shot to his feet, wanting to know if any investigation concerning Mohammed’s bonafides was underway. The AG replied: “Certainly not by my office. I can’t speak for the office of the President, whether he has undertaken any investigation in the past. “Concerns were raised in a newspaper article and the response to that was very forthright and very clear.
“Dr Hafizool was appointed because of his training and experience in the military in the US. We were able to verify those credentials, insofar as military training and experience goes. “Therefore, he was allowed to continue sitting as a commissioner on that particular enquiry. I think that brings that matter to an end.” Hinds asked if the AG was saying the Government was satisfied with the bonafides, the qualifications and suitability of Mohammed and if the President was so advised.
“Yes, the Government is satisfied that Dr Hafizool Mohammed possessed (the qualifications), such that his position as a commissioner is justified.”