Judiciary responds to Braveboy allegations regarding Chief Justice


The Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago has denounced former CNMG employee Marcia Braveboy over allegations made on her Facebook page, which questioned the impartiality of Chief Justice Ivor Archie in relation to the UNC’s election petition.

Photo: Former CNMG employee and radio talk show host Marcia Braveboy.
Photo: Former CNMG employee and radio talk show host Marcia Braveboy.

The following is the full press release from the Judiciary:

The Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago denounces the blatant and unbridled attempt to cast doubt on the integrity and independence of the judiciary and that of its judicial officers in the conduct of their duties, which has arisen from certain quarters of the journalistic community.

The statements made by freelance journalist Marcia Braveboy in a recent post to her Facebook wall are totally false, scurrilously abusive and amount to contempt by scandalising the court in relation to the Election Petition appeals currently engaging the Court of Appeal.


These unwarranted and nefarious attacks on the integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary and specifically the Honourable Chief Justice are calculated to engender public distrust in the probity of judicial officers and more so as they relate to the particular matters before the court.

Photo: Chief Justice Ivor Archie.
Photo: Chief Justice Ivor Archie.

The Judiciary is and continues to be independent and is committed, as it always has been, to preserving the rule of law. In this regard Ms Braveboy is urged to cease and desist from her reckless statements and insinuations which undermine the administration of justice and the rule of law.

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266 comments

  1. FOOLISH UNC ACTIVIST, somebody should send her back on the fig boat….

  2. Why is the Judiciary making this Imbecile feel important by responding to her idiotic commentary?
    The only response should have been none or a contempt charge

    • She still carries the title of a “reporter.” She is not just a rabble rouser online. There are certain responsibilities that should come with that title.
      She can be held to account for her words. So I suppose the Judiciary is treating with as much respect as it can muster.

  3. As a born Trinbagonian of proud Grenadian heritage, I find the xenophobic calls for Marcia’s deportation odious and nauseating. I also find many of the malicious and vile allegations and provocations Braveboy repeatedly makes equally odious and nauseating. But one has nothing to do with the other!! It just shows proves xenophobic we can be even when half of us come from somewhere else; and how easily we respond to bias with bias.

    I am amused by the folks (I assume you’re UNC partisans) who seem convinced that all someone has to do is jump up and accuse someone else of unproven bias and then ethically the accused is obligated to recuse themselves from a matter. I am equally amused at all the people (some of whom are clearly PNM advocates) who have appointed themselves either the CJ’s valet or spouse since they can swear to the falsity of all the allegations. Mind you, I don’t believe any of them for a minute—but I have no proof of their truth or falsehood.

  4. I think a lawsuit will be the only way she will learn. So far, nobody has been bothered enough.

  5. I was hoping they would have charged her for contempt!

  6. Lasana Liburd, I don’t get it. Who the f…. Is Marcia Braveboy that she is even warranted a response from the judiciary? Why are you all even entertaining her comments. It’s like everyone shooting down ?

    • I have not seen Marcia Braveboy’s most recent FB comments but her consistent behaviour has long said clearly that she is beneath contempt. The Judiciary had a legal obligation to respond to her.
      We ordinary self-respecting citizens do not and we should, therefore, properly treat her with the contempt that she has earned.

    • Super point, Eric. I don’t understand why the judiciary is getting its knickers in a twist. They sound very bad tempered. All kinds of absurd allegations are made on the internet and no-one bats an eyelid.

    • If the Prime Minister said Kamla Persad-Bissessar collected World Cup bribe money from South Africa on behalf of Jack Warner, would you say that Kamla should not bat an eyelid?
      In other words, yes you are responsible for things you say online, particularly if you are someone that people listen to.
      There have already been people kicked off State boards or fired from media jobs for loose statements online.
      So I should think this is an obvious point.

    • I see people defending this nonsense all over and I am amazed. This is a blatant, unsubstantiated attack on the reputation of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice. No evidence was proffered, no sources quoted. You cannot do that in any civilised society with impunity.

      This is unacceptable and I don’t understand how people cannot see that.

    • Lasana Liburd there is such a thing as the right to free speech. If marcia broke the law of libel, she can be prosecuted. if she is in contempt of court she can be jailed. There are legal provisions for those situations. What is silly is the judiciary huffing and puffing and using meaningless big words to impress empty headed people of the weightiness of their pronouncements. When people have a sound case, they are clear and simple. the judiciary should get its act together, because it is bringing itself into disrepute.,

    • Kendall Tull, Welcome to the internet. It’s not a civilised society. It’s a republic of reprobates.

    • … But who the hell is Marcia Braveboy?! Why give her currency ? She is not Raffique Shah, Sunity, Martin Daily, Lasana Liburd or some respected scribe or broadcaster. I’m a fan of wired 868. Just let Jackass bray and keep giving we serious and satirical ting bro. Next!

  7. What a joke.. sweet T&T had become

  8. PP beast still breathing venom at all who oppose the goddess Kamla! UNC has alot to do reform thier party.

  9. The thing about the Law is that any judgement has to be justifiable in Law. They cannot make it up. If the Election Petition must fail there will be legal support to state why.

  10. ….and she’s still pelting bullets. Even though they are blank, she’s still pelting!

  11. Lasana, reading that release by the Judiciary made my day.

  12. The most disgusting, delusional person I’ve seen in ages. She goes on FB talking crap all day long and when you disagrees with her comments she blocks you. That woman needs help and should be deported for her nasty display.

  13. If there was any conflict of interest he would have recused himself . He surely does not need your trumped up allegations as a basis .

  14. The CJ didn’t get to where he is by copying and pasting any certificate . His qualifications as an attorney didn’t come from a diploma mill , so stop trying to defame the character and reputation of an outstanding son of the soil .

  15. You all are dividing a nation for your own selfish political and economic ambitions . Time to stop .

  16. You are regurgitating things that you were told to say without any evidence . Stop spreading propaganda with the evidence to back it up

    • “spreading propaganda without evidence to back it up”…rowlies’ emails ring a bell???

    • You got to be kidding !! The Vice Chairman of the Integrity Commission resigned because of the many discrepancies that surrounded the investigation of the case ! This may not say everything , but it says a lot . You can say what you may but the inconclusiveness of the investigation , suggests some inconsistencies are worth consideration before you speak ” terminological inexactitudes”

  17. Where were the “secret” meetings that they told you about held ?

  18. or are allegations of the CJ attending pnm victory celebrations and secret meetings not serious enough for you?

  19. I’m standing by for the “serious allegations ” leveled against the CJ as regards his impartiality

  20. What are the so called “serious allegations ” to which you refer ? You must know them if you tout them so emphatically , or are you asked to transcribe from a prepared script ?

  21. please stop with the ethnic victim crap…that is so pnm to use that.

    once this allegation hangs over his head there will always be the fear that he may be co-opted!

    THe CJ should recuse himself because serious allegations have been made as to his impartiality .

  22. Since you all think they should deport her well its best they go d full 9yrds and deport all Grenadians and done d woman raise some good questions

  23. Why should the Chief Justice recuse himself ? what evidence is there to substantiate the uneducated comments of the journalist ? Absolute nonsense ! There exists no conflict of interest , only if you want to allude to his ethnicity as the reason that some believe him to be a PNM supporter or sympathizer ? And that would be more hogwash than the previous statements made . You UNC tribalists will never stop eh ?!

  24. as to Ms Braveboy…she is no different to others in her profession!

  25. He should recuse himself from the matter…in the interest of safeguarding the reputation of the judiciary.

  26. The Judiciary should have advised also on the consequences if her choice of action persists . Because from all indications , she has proven to be a crass and uncouth individual .

  27. I just love how good the UNC are at changing the focus of the issue.
    Kamla made a claim that the UNC lost the election because the EBC extended the voting by 1 hour. The Chief Justice in court asked on more than one occasion , without getting an answer , up to this day. WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THIS CLAIM . ? As a result of this he is now labeled a PNM and we going all over the place . So just like the CJ, I am asking . WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE CLAIM THAT BY EXTENDING VOTING TIME BY 1 HOUR , THAT, CAUSED THE UNC TO LOSE THE ELECTIONS. ?

  28. So what if she is right that he was in Tobago celebrating with Ivor. Ppl do not like the truth. Remember when Rowley said Vollney was in Tobago about section 34 the whole country demanded he be fired. so what ivor higher than thou. He cannot be touched. The truth is the truth. And he should step down. Want to Eat ah food.

  29. She, Marcia Braveboy, has been warned (a warning shot has been fired across her bow)! Her move, now. If she is dumb enough to not understand the potential consequences related to a cease and desist request, so be it. Crapeau will smoke she pipe with a big smile on he face!

  30. With a face like that , you gotta be Brave !

  31. Let the others enjoy making loose statements and comments about the Judiciary be warned!!!

  32. This is a very bland and evasive statement published by the Judiciary. The CJ ought to address the rumours directly and in a clear manner.

    • No he doesn’t. Its a very clear and concise position on the statement made by the Grenadian. The end.

    • Well, she made an allegation that the CJ and the PM attended the same school in Tobago and that they were from the same village. Is that in fact false? Was that the rumour that was addressed?

    • Smart persons dont comment on libelous rumours. If she has proof of something detrimental let her present it instead of constantly flapping her very loose gums trying to incite crap.

    • I tend to agree with you generally on nebulous allegations but where there are specific allegations made that threaten to undermine and erode the confidence in our Public Institutions that are meant to be non partisan, then the onus is on the Public Institution is address those allegations in a clear and direct manner to assuage the fears of the general public

    • Anybody else say it I probably would not have been this dismissive. But this woman has a reputation for coming up with some of the most ludicrous rubbish with the sole purpose of being controversial. Her words have proven time and time again to be nonsense. So forgive me if I dont agree the general public has fears based on her empty allegations. Next.

    • To repeat the specific allegations runs the risk of repeating the defamation. If the Judiciary says the allegations are totally false, I don’t get how it is bland or evasive.

    • It is a set up so that if and when they throw out the opposition’s petition, they could easily say the judiciary is biased and we told you so since when. It is disgusting she need to calm herself right down and stop trying to incite foolishness. The judiciary is clear. The strategy is juvenile and it won’t work.

    • I’m patiently waiting for her to mistep further ….and it’s coming that will get her to spend some of her money on bail as she is charged for libel or what ever rubbish she finds herself in

    • With a name like Aness I could understand the logic. Why should the CJ perpetuate the libel
      by repeating it?
      The denial unequivocally is sufficient.

    • Bigotry is not a virtue Allan. A person’s name is not given capriciously by their parents
      It is a representation of heritage and tradition and it has precious little to do their education and logic. It would bode well for you to remember that social media is a melting point of divergent views and opinions which should be critiqued on the basis of principle rather than the person’s name…

    • Just flushing you out. LOL!!!!
      You sounding off but can’t get a simple point. What a joke. Read the important point northern peripheral. Try to see the tree in the forest.

    • I went to QRC old man, you couldnt flush me out if you tried. What really happen is that you got caught sprouting your prejudicial views which are so deeply ingrained in your psyche that to disabuse your mind of same would leave you in a lobotomized state…

  33. Please send that Grenadian home she could not do that in Jamaica

  34. Somebody put a damn muzzle on this lady gosh man. She never makes any kind of sense.

  35. I don’t understand the comments. The statement clearly states:

    “The statements made by freelance journalist Marcia Braveboy in a recent post to her Facebook wall are totally false, scurrilously abusive and amount to contempt by scandalising the court….”

    Doesn’t that mean that all her statements are lies?

  36. Who will hear the case Mitra? If people continue to hire her, then I guess she can continue to stay in our country, but why would anyone hire her? She is tainted!

  37. Which judges attended UNC functions, Debbie? I believe there are constraints judges are supposed to adhere to. I’m sorry to disagree with you, but in my view what the country needs is to guard its democratic system, and the independence of the judiciary is an important aspect of that.

    • What about the case of a Judge walking off the bench and joining a political party to contest an election.

    • Rich, what about it? He walked. After that he could do what he wanted.

    • Well u mentioned they are constraints that judges have to adhere to. Was he not also supposed to adhere to those constraints. Its protocol that once you leave the bench one ought not to be in a position to be part of the Legal system for 10 years to avoid any conflict. And here the individual became Minister of Justice with oversight for the Judiciary. Is that right.

    • Rishi Maharaj Being Minister of Justice is a government position. In TT’s system, there is separation of powers between government and judiciary. He would not have been entitled to interfere in the judiciary’s exercise of its functions. Or so I think. To be honest, Rishi, I don’t find it wise to defend current actions by saying someone else did it. The populace voted out the former government because they did not approve of their practices. Why should the current government adopt their standards?

    • Rishi I agree with you. And that same judge apologized for a “mistake ” he made in the Brad Boyce case. Now tell me ….in another country every single one of his cases would have been under review. His legal career would be in the toilet and he would be facing so many civil lawsuits from the victims family it would not be funny. But only in Trinidad and Tobago

    • Niala he walked but one must be dumb and doltish to think that they were not talking with him while he was a sitting judge. Come on and to add insult to injury one who has matters pending before the courts was the one doing the courting and walking with the former judge during the campaign. What more you want?

    • So you don’t approve of that, but you do approve if the current CJ has links to the PNM? Isn’t that applying a double standard? I would say it’s extremely damaging to democracy in Trinidad if citizens maintain that one political party is allowed to do something while another may not. Why are you promoting this kind of discrimination?

  38. Do any of the legal minds amongst us know if there is any way legally to expel her from the country?

  39. So defamation lawsuit to follow since the allegations are false.

  40. Why don’t they bring her up for contempt of court, then? All they doing here is frothing at the mouth in rabid fashion. They didn’t deny that the CJ was at a PNM celebration. wonder what that means?

  41. They should charge she arse with contempt. She just doesn’t know when to shut the @#$#@ up. Lady the elections done and yuh party lorse. Deal with it.

  42. Deport !!! Immediately !!! She is a menace to society.

  43. And the usual attacks on journalists too. Same targets as always.

  44. The CJ can initiate contempt charges against her. That would be interesting.

  45. This idiot still spewing garbage? I figured by now she would have been deported.

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