At least 20 of the 43 pages of the Prosecution's Statement concerns infrastructure projects in Jamaica and explores the links between the bridge-building firm and local officials including former State Minister Joseph Hibbert.
Jamaica One
The bribery allegations against Mr. Hibbert revolve around a massive infrastructure project, dubbed Jamaica 1.
The project included flyover bridges at the Three Mile roundabout, the Sandy Gully Bridge and the North Gully Bridge in Montego Bay as part of a joint venture between the Jamaican government and Mabey and Johnson which had partnered with contractors Kier International Limited.
The project, valued at 14.9 million pounds was signed off in 1999 without any competitive bidding process, allegedly at the urging or invitation of Joseph Hibbert.
"Advance Commissions"
The UK Prosecutors also allege that attempts by M&J to corrupt Mr. Hibbert began as far back as 1993, when he was still Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Works.
According to M&J documents, Mr. Hibbert allegedly received monies from commissions paid to the UK firm's local representative Deryck A. Gibson Ltd.
They say Mr. Hibbert got modest advance payments in cash and cheques in his own name through UK and local banks including NCB.
His niece is also said to have received a special payment from M&J to cover burial expenses for his mother.
In some instances the court document cites memos taken from M&J files allegedly showing "advance commissions" of ten and fifteen thousand pounds, being paid regularly to the former state Minister during visits to the UK.
Eventually these payments, previously made out to "Joe Hibbert" were made out to "Montego Bay", a company the UK Special Fraud Office says was linked to Deryck Gibson.
Politician "bought"
The Crown attorneys also submitted documents to press its case that Mabey and Johnson in effect "bought" Mr. Hibbert.
The court document states in conclusion, that Mabey and Johnson has accepted that these payments were made with a corrupt intent to persuade Mr. Hibbert to act in a manner inconsistent with his duties as a public servant of the Jamaican government.
When RJR News called Deryck Gibson Limited for a response to the allegations, we were told that the person authorised to speak on the matter was unavailable.
We were told that it was unclear when that person would be available for comment.
Lawyer seethes
In the meantime, Attorney at Law Ernest Smith is seething with anger hours after his client and parliamentary colleague, Joseph Hibbert, was fingered by the prosecution as a prominent figure in the bribery case.
The findings of UK investigators attached to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), have drawn the ire of Mr. Smith who on Friday afternoon stopped just short of accusing Mabey and Johnson of lying about his client.
"My client got no bribe from Mabey & Johnson, none, not even one cent. What Mabey & Johnson must do is tell the Jamaican people who are the Jamaican officials who received almost 1.5 million pounds entered on a ledger card entered on the name of Joseph Hibbert all of which was unknown to Mr. Hibbert, that is what I want them to tell us. Mabey & Johnson is a corrupt company that is trying to use Joseph Hibbert as a scapegoat," Mr. Smith said.
Mr. Smith does not deny that expenses were paid on behalf of Joseph Hibbert, however there is no credible evidence that links his client to corrupt activities and he is prepared to mount a vigourous defence.
"If the prosecution opened on that and Mabey & Johnson pleaded to that what I am now going to do, I am going to disclose a letter from Mabey & Johnson's lawyer...because I going to bust it up, I'm gonna bust it open," he continued.
Source: The Statesman
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