Danny Lugay Summoned to Court for Walking; Fontaine Allowed to Return to Africa

Roseau North MP Danny Lugay has been summoned to court for participating in Atherton Martin-led weekly walk exercise. The parliamentary member is being charged for taking “part in a public procession in the city of Roseau without the written permission of the Commissioner of Police to do so.” He is being charged at the Roseau Magistrate Court with the hearing fixed for Thursday, May 19, 2022.

The police said Lugay contravened the Public Order Act Chapter 15:01 of the revived Law of Dominica by taking part in a “public procession” without the explicit approval of the police chief. Investigations revealed that other promiment Dominicans have also been issued summons for participating in a weekly walk calculated to raise awareness for percieved ills in the country.

But the MP in his response said no one in the country would intimidate him from walking the streets of Roseau. He said he does not have to secure permission from any government authorities before walking on the streets in the company of other likeminded people. Police authorities have also warned Atherton Martin that he is facing charges for organizing the walk, but he remains adamant that he has the right to walk in the streets.

Meanwhile, Dr. Thomson Fontaine who is being charged with jumping bail in the country has been approved to travel outside the country. Fontaine works with the government of South Sudan as an economic adviser and was formerly an IMF official. The court said he can return to Africa to resume his job while the hearing of his case is appointed for July.

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