He cursed and insulted an Environmental Officer in front of a camera for the whole world to see, but the Department of Environment still can't get its case against Dion Zabaneh right.
Today, the Department dragged 43 year old Zabaneh and his 76 year old mother back to court to, again, be charged for a slew of environmental offences. But, But before the charges could be read to them, the DOE's legal consul, told them and their attorney, Emil Arguelles, that his Department "messed",up because the charges were improperly lodged.
Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford then called all parties into her office and informed Zabaneh and Gabourel that they were free to go.
Outside the court, their Attorney Emil Arguelles told court reporters, quote, "It is a mockery of the court system for it to be used whimsically and it is improper for the prosecution to get a third and fourth bite of the cherry."
He also said that if his clients are summoned to re-appear in court he will be seeking court cost.
The charges the DOE brought against Zabaneh and Gabourel were filling the seabed at lot 4670 without signing an environmental compliance with DOE, failure to comply with a DOE enforcement notice and failure to comply with an enforcement order to remove all material dumped at lot 4670. Zabaneh alone was charged with assaulting and obstructing or hindering a DOE officer in the execution of his duty. When they went to court two weeks ago the charges were withdrawn.
We will wait and see if the DOE will bring the charges a third time.
Notably, that parcel in dispute was acquired by the Ministry of Natural resources for a public purpose 12 years ago. Primrose Gabourel's attorney says no notice of this was given. She has continued to act as the owner of that 1.33 acre parcel - which is in the sea.
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