There is a payment voucher in circulation purportedly issued by the Ministry of Legal Affairs in favour of Dr. Francis Raphael Alexis for $72.8 million. Dr. Alexis has been retained by Attorney General Basil Williams to argue the appeal in two of the Confidence cases before the Court of Appeal.
I have no reason to ascertain the authenticity of the payment voucher and have some doubt that even Basil Williams would pay such an exorbitant sum in one of the most frivolous appeals before our courts for decades. For now, I am prepared to give the benefit of an explanation to Mr. Williams but ask that he respond to the following questions
1. Is the purported payment voucher authentic and a payment of $72.8 million was made?
2. Is this a final payment, and if not what is the total sum to be paid to Dr. Alexis?
3. What is the scope of Dr. Alexis’ retainer?
4. From which line item is the sum of $72.8 million and any other sum to be paid?
5. At which level of the Government was the decision made to recruit Dr. Alexis and what was the sum approved?
I thank him for his prompt response.