Galbaransingh and Ferguson loses fight to avoid extradition
Thursday 29th July, 2010

Businessmen Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson have lost another round in their fight to avoid extradition to the United States.

Justice Vashiest Kokaram this afternoon dismissed their challenge to the extradition act.

Lawyers for Mr Galbaransingh and Mr Ferguson were arguing that the act was unconstitutional. However, Justice Kokaram threw out their case in a ruling handed down in the Port-of-Spain 15th Court.

It is now up to the attorney general to decide whether to extradite the two men.

One of their attorneys said this afternoon that they have the right to appeal as far as the Privy Council against this afternoon's judgement. The attorney says they can also appeal to the Privy Council if the Attorney General decides to extradite them.

Mr Galbaransingh and Mr Ferguson are wanted in court in Florida to answer 95 charges of fraud arising out of the construction of the Piarco Airport terminal building.

Six men facing similar charges in connection with the same matter pleaded guilty in 2006 and are serving prison terms.

Mr Galbaransingh and Mr Ferguson remain at the Golden Grove prison. They were arrested on June 15th after their bail expired.