Government Senator Damien Gomez said yesterday that the Christie administration had threatened the rule of law by surrendering Samuel 'Ninety' Knowles to the United States without "due process".
Knowles had fought a high profile six-year legal battle against extradition prior to being handed over to US officials in New Providence on Monday and flown to the United States.
Senator Gomez, an attorney who once represented Knowles said the fact that the convicted drug offender was handed over to US officials while there was an outstanding appeal meant he was not actually extradited but merely surrendered.
"One can only pray to the Lord above that this not repeated," said Senator Gomez while speaking as a guest on the MORE 94.9 talk show `Real Talk Live' with guest host Michael Pintard.
"This is absolutely scary because what is to stop a government after a condemned man has raised his criminal law appeal to the Privy Council, but not raised constitutional issues which arise afterwards – what is to stop the government from saying 'Oh we have a constitutional matter before the court concerning your life; well unfortunately we have Privy Council decision which enables us to hang you?' And they go ahead and hang him."
Mr Gomez said he was "stunned" by the government's silence. He insisted that the Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs or the Cabinet Office should have issued a statement explaining and setting out the rationale for the decision.
"It may be that this was just a blunder. I don't know, the public doesn't know," Senator Gomez said, adding, "Unfortunately one cannot say that there is any legitimising factor. Because clearly from the Privy Council ruling the undertaking given to the Supreme Court required a determination by the court. Not by the minister, by the court."
Citing Guyana, Senator Gomez said he had seen firsthand what happened to countries when the recognition of human rights was abandoned for "political expediency." He insisted he would not allow The Bahamas go down a similar road.
Knowles made his initial appearance in a Miami Magistrate's Court yesterday. He will be arraigned when he returns to court on Tuesday.
Revealing on Wednesday that Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell had not allowed him to make representation on behalf of his client prior to processing a warrant of surrender, Knowles' attorney Roger Minnis said he believed the government "hurriedly" executed the extradition under pressure from the US Government.
But US Ambassador to The Bahamas John Rood yesterday denied any pressure from the American Government.
By RAYMOND KONGWA, Nassau Guardian Senior Reporter
