Press Statement from the office of the Attorney General

INAUGURATION OF THE NATION’S 5TH PRESIDENT ANTHONY CARMONA

The Attorney General congratulates – His Excellency, Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona on his ascension to the office of President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

President Carmona has displayed tremendous dedication and service to the country and has a track record of excellence.

By dint of his tremendous track record of dedication and service to our nation in the local and international arenas, a more worthy Head of State could not be found at this critical juncture in the life of our nation. 

A native of Fyzabad, His Excellency fittingly began his work life 40 years ago at the Fyzabad Anglican Secondary School. He eventually began studying law at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, Barbados and graduated in 1981.

In 1986 he received his Certificate of Enrollment as an Attorney-at-Law (as a result of fusion of the legal profession) which set the tone for his achievement of many other noted certificates on criminal law.

During the course of his professional career, he was also heavily involved in the civil side in litigation, including
constitutional matters and accordingly advised several Government
Departments, even at times, prosecuting cases on their behalf.

His Excellency represented the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on the Legislative Review Committee (Cabinet appointed) formulating and vetting multifaceted pieces of legislation, i.e. Criminal Procedure (Criminal Procedure (Plea Agreement) Bill, Criminal Injuries Compensation Bill, Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, D.N.A. Bill,
Indictable Offences (Preliminary Enquiry) Bill, Dangerous Drugs Bill,
Proceeds of Crime Bill, The Central Authority and Counter-Drug
Trafficking and Money Laundering Task Force Bill, Bail Act, Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill and all criminal related legislation.

One of the many defining moments in his career occurred on 3rd January, 2001 as he served as an Appeals Counsel (Office of the Prosecutor), ICTY and ICTR, successfully prosecuted and prepared appeals on behalf of the Office of the Prosecutor concerning persons convicted of crimes against humanity and genocide.

In 2004 His Excellency was appointed a High Court Judge in the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago, a position held up to the time he was unanimously elected by our Electoral College to be our nation’s 5th President.

Hailed as a humble man, Carmona is a person with whom most people can identify with and understand. Doubtlessly, this is because all those whom he has interacted with over the years have been most impressed by his impartiality and wide array of qualifications and experiences.

There is no question His Excellency President Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona is a symbol of pride for his family and his countrymen.

On behalf of myself and the staff of the Ministry of the Attorney General, I extend hearty congratulations and best wishes to him on the occasion of his inauguration.

MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

MARCH 18, 2013