Attorney General Anil Nandlall Addresses Opposition Misleading Squatters

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has accused the parliamentary opposition of misleading numerous squatters, who were targeted for relocation to facilitate a highway project, resulting in their current state of homelessness and despair after a recent High Court ruling. During his “Issues in the News” program on Tuesday, Nandlall emphasized that despite having five lawyers in Parliament, none represented the squatters, contrary to Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton’s earlier promise of support.

On Friday, Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, dismissed the squatters’ claims against the Government, following the demolition of their homes in January 2023. The applicants, represented by attorneys Vivian M. Williams and Lyndon Amsterdam, sought over $200 million in damages, ownership declarations for the state lands, and compensation for alleged breaches of constitutional rights. Justice George concluded that the applicants failed to substantiate their claims regarding prescriptive titles, property damage, and constitutional violations, imposing costs totaling two million dollars against them, payable by June 30, 2025.

In January, the government took action to demolish multiple homes in Mocha-Arcadia to pave the way for the Heroes Highway. Although residents were offered relocation and compensation as early as 2021, some refused to move, leading to a confrontation and subsequent legal action. Twenty-eight individuals who had been squatting on the reserves accepted the government’s relocation offers and successfully rebuilt their homes in nearby areas with government support. However, those who resisted the offers and pursued legal action were encouraged by members of the opposition.

Nandlall stated that these residents were “used and abused” by political figures. He criticized the opposition for exploiting the situation for political gain, leaving the squatters in dire circumstances without any offers of assistance from those who encouraged them to resist government actions. He urged listeners to be wary of becoming political pawns in such situations, highlighting the manipulation and abandonment faced by the affected individuals.

The Attorney General emphasized that this case should serve as a cautionary tale for current and potential squatters. He underscored that the court’s ruling clarifies the legal status of those occupying government lands, indicating they hold no rights, interests, or title to such properties. Nandlall asserted that the lawful property owner retains the right to take necessary actions, including reasonable force, to remove any squatters from their land, noting that a court order is not an absolute requirement for such actions.