PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

An international tribunal has found that the case brought against Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma over allegations of judicial misconduct was weak, clearing the way for him to resume his duties.

"I really have nothing to say. I have not yet seen the report. At the appropriate time, I will say what I have to say," Sharma told The Express newspaper here last Thursday, moments after the tribunal's report was formally handed over to President George Maxwell Richards.

Sharma, 64, was suspended from office on June 13, allowing the tribunal to begin its task of investigating a claim made by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls that Sharma had attempted to influence his decision in the trial of former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday.

Panday's conviction and two-year jail term imposed by McNicolls were later overturned by the Appeal Court, and the Opposition Leader is now challenging the decision before the Privy Council to face a fresh trial on the same charges of failing to declare a London bank account to the Integrity Commission while he held office as Prime Minister.

Insufficient evidence

The international tribunal, headed by retired Privy Councillor Lord Michael Mustill, and included St. Lucian jurist Sir Vincent Floissac, Q.C., and Jamaican jurist Dennis Morrison, Q.C., found insufficient evidence to recommend to the president that the question of Sharma's removal be forwarded to the Privy Council for final determination.

The Express had also reported Thursday that the tribunal was critical of both Sharma and his main accuser, McNicolls, who had refused to face cross-examination in a criminal complaint based on the same allegation leading to the collapse of the case against Sharma.

Sharma still, however, has a lawsuit pending over a separate attempt to prevent impeachment proceedings relating to an allegation made by Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson, that he (Sharma) attempted to influence his decision to drop a murder charge against surgeon Vijay Naraynsingh.

Sharma is set to retire on January 24 next year.