NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Obie Roberts, the Vice Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) on Friday expressed that the PLP is concerned with the appointment of Ruth Bowe-Darville as Justice of the Supreme Court.
In a statement, Roberts said this is one of the Free National Movement’s (FNM) most blatantly political judicial appointments, as she has served officially in a number of capacities in the FNM and there are claims that she recently worked as an election agent for the FNM as well as a campaign general.
Besides the political nature of this appointment, which according to Roberts, cannot be overlooked, Bowe-Darville will be 65 years old in a matter of days, which is the age of retirement for judges.
Roberts said in just a few days she must apply for her appointment to be extended past the retirement age.
The vice chairman said The Bahamas is a society based on the rule of law.
“Our very success is due to the fact that the world sees us as a stable democracy with an independent judiciary and that Bahamians can rely on an impartial court,” Roberts said, adding that the FNM is ‘playing with fire’ by setting the country on a path of having a political judiciary.
Ruth Bowe-Darville was sworn in as Justice of the Supreme Court by Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling during a Swearing in Ceremony at Government House on Thursday, May 30, 2019.
