Delay in Musa’s theft case

Former Belize PM Said Musa

According to Caribbean 360, the preliminary inquiry is scheduled for this date.

The matter came up for hearing on Friday, January 2 but Musa’s lead attorney, Edwin Flowers, asked for an adjournment, citing inadequate time for the defence counsel to properly review the case.

Another of Musa’s attorneys, Lisa Shoman, stated that as the disclosure from the Director of Public Prosecutions was received less than seven days ago, the law dictates there must be a 14-day period before anything else could occur.

The former Prime Minister was late last year accused of illegally diverting US$10M which was given to his administration by Venezuela in order to fund various housing projects.

The prosecution has alleged that Musa diverted the money to the Belize Bank to pay off a loan that his government had previously guaranteed. However, he has insisted that he was innocent and was acting in good faith when he used funds to settle the debt.

The money has since been returned to government coffers. Musa faces a maximum of 10 years incarceration if convicted.

Ralph Fonseca, who was Musa’s Housing Minister when the grant was negotiated, was also charged with theft and is due to reappear in court on Friday, January 16. ~~Adz:Right~~