JAS vows strong defence in court battle with director
Published:Thursday | September 26, 2024 | 12:11 AM
The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) has declared it will “vigorously defend” its name amid an ongoing court battle with one of its directors over the management of the organisation.
The first hearing of the matter between the JAS and Larry Robertson, the Portland parish president for JAS and a board member, was adjourned in the Supreme Court last Thursday until March 10, 2025.
In a statement to The Gleaner this week, Derron Grant, acting chief executive officer of the JAS, insisted that due process was followed and that no laws or orders of the court were broken in the holding of the organisation’s annual general meeting (AGM).
“In fact, our action was guided by a Supreme Court Order that mandated the Society to hold the July 2024 AGM in accordance with the by-laws and the Incorporation Act, which govern the organisation,” Grant said.
Robertson filed a claim seeking a declaration from the court that the AGM held by the JAS is null and void without the presentation of audited financial statements of the association along with funds related to parish branches.
He argued that the act setting up JAS expressly states that, before the convening of an AGM, there must be a proper audit done to be approved by the minister of agriculture and that that audit must be presented at the annual general conference.
However, Grant said the JAS has filed and served two affidavits in response to the claim, rejecting all allegations of irregularities in its accounting and voting processes.
“Further, JAS wishes to reiterate its commitment to vigorously defend against any attempts to destroy the good name of the Society and its staff by those misrepresenting the facts to advance their personal agenda, and to acquire the assets of JAS,” Grant said.
In a May 9, 2024 court document seen by The Gleaner, Supreme Court Judge Simone Wolfe-Reece ordered that the JAS hold an AGM in July 2024, in accordance with paragraph 11 of the by-laws of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (Jamaica Agricultural Society Incorporation Act 19 June 1941 including the Jamaica Agricultural Society Incorporation (Amendment) Act 1978).
Additionally, Wolfe-Reece ordered that, within seven days of the AGM being held in July 2024, JAS undertakes to file a notice of discontinuance.
Grant said that, under the direction of the new executive elected to office on July 10, 2024, and upon taking office on September 4, 2024, the Society has commenced reorganising its operation to better fulfil its mandate to protect the interests of the Jamaican farmers.
He said JAS President Owen Dobson has requested that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining conduct a special audit of the Society and its related arms.
Grant said steps are now being taken to review JAS’ by-laws and the Incorporation Act aimed to modernise the organisation to meet the present-day needs of its members and to strengthen the governance framework that will allow the farmers to hold the board of management more accountable for their actions.
However, Robertson filed contempt of court proceedings against Agriculture Minister Floyd Green and four executive members of the JAS for allegedly disobeying a Supreme Court order.
Robertson argued that the holding of the July AGM went against court orders.
Robertson is seeking a declaration that the defendants have aided and abetted a breach of the order Justice Tracey-Ann Johnson made on April 14 between himself and the JAS.
Johnson had ordered that a previous injunction that was granted remain in place until the final determination of the matter of the substantive claim.