Dear Editor: Congrats to Jack Warner—but what does his extradition success mean for T&T?

“[…] On 23 September, Justice Karen Reid ruled that the extradition process against him was flawed and has permanently stopped it.

“This outcome raises troubling questions. Does justice in our country depend on access to resources and influence? What role will Warner now be given under our new Prime Minister?

“Could he sue the government for taking so long to address these issues? […]”

Suspended FIFA executive Jack Warner is greeted by supporters shortly after his arrival at the airport in Port-of-Spain, in his native Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday, 2 June 2011.
Fifa suspended Warner and another senior Fifa executive days earlier because of bribery allegations, while exonerating FIFA President Sepp Blatter in the corruption crisis facing soccer’s governing body.
(via AP Photo/ Shirley Bahadur.)

The following Letter to the Editor on former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner’s successful overturn of a US extradition request was submitted to Wired868 by Dennise Demming, MSc, MBA, wellness therapist, communications coach and speaker:

I am not surprised that former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner is now free and cannot be extradited to the United States. On 23 September, Justice Karen Reid ruled that the extradition process against him was flawed and has permanently stopped it.

This outcome raises troubling questions. Does justice in our country depend on access to resources and influence? What role will Warner now be given under our new Prime Minister?

Could he sue the government for taking so long to address these issues?

Former Chaguanas West MP and ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner leaves the Hall of Justice after a hearing in 2017.
(Copyright Analisa Caruth/ Wired868.)

He was one of 14 officials charged in the 2015 US Fifa corruption scandal. Unlike many of his co-accused—who pleaded guilty, were jailed, or banned from football—he managed to resist extradition for more than a decade.

In his role at Fifa, Warner was indicted in the United States on 12 charges, including racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery. These charges stemmed from allegations that he sought or accepted millions in bribes and kickbacks related to Fifa’s media and marketing rights.

Several other Fifa members went to jail and served their time on similar charges. While these matters were before the courts, Warner did not travel internationally for at least 10 years, given the outstanding indictment.

Will he be travelling again soon?

(From left) Jack Warner, Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Gary Griffith at a UNC political meeting at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya on 24 July 2023.
Photo: UNC.

As a nation, we cannot just call this case closed and move on. Our extradition laws must be strengthened, transparency from the Attorney General’s office and the courts must be demanded, and our national reputation must be protected.

If we fail to act, we send the message that privilege wins over principle—and that is a dangerous legacy to leave behind.

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One comment

  1. Yes, it seem like a case of being in the right political corner or is it having the right politicians in your corner? Whichever it is you are guaranteed to win everytime it seems. In another key matter involving an arms salesman/dealer that was discontinued by the AG’s office and the subsequent apology given to the defendant by the AG I almost swore that he was the gentleman’s defense attorney. No doubt setting the scene in both cases for the state to pay millions in compensation. Very troubling for those of us who are not so fortunate to have that type of access.

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