GTU Withdraws Contempt Proceedings Against Government Officials
September 19, 2025 – The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has withdrawn its application for contempt proceedings against several senior government officials, including Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall and Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, Donald Gajraj (Regional Executive Officer of Region 4), Ms. Shannielle
Hoosein-Outar (Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education), Ms. Susanah
Saywack (Regional Executive Officer Region 2), Mr. Narendra Persaud (Regional
Executive Officer Region 6) and Mr. Sadick Ishmael (Regional Executive Officer
Region 5)
The contempt application, filed on August 26, 2025, alleged non-compliance with a judgment delivered by Justice Sandil Kissoon on April 19, 2024.
According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Legal Affairs, it also sought committal warrants against a number of regional officials and senior administrators within the Ministry of Education.
However, the proceedings faced legal challenges. On September 12, 2025, the Attorney General moved to strike out the case, citing multiple technical grounds, including improper service of documents, statutory time limits under the Contempt of Court Act, and provisions of the State Liability and Proceedings Act which restrict contempt actions against the State.
During a hearing, a request was also made for Justice Kissoon to recuse himself on the basis that he had issued the original ruling in the matter. The judge agreed, and the case was set to be reassigned by the Chief Justice.
Shortly thereafter, the Attorney General was formally notified that the GTU had withdrawn and discontinued the proceedings entirely.
The State’s legal team included Darshan Ramdhani KC, Deputy Solicitor General Shoshanna V. Lall, Principal Legal Advisor Ronetta Prince, and State Counsels Omar Hoppie and Ron Austin.
