A Jamaican woman living in Antigua
appeared in court on Thursday in a case which has led to calls for the resignation
of the Leader of the Opposition.
Both are implicated in a passport fraud.
On July 31, Jamaican Anthony Allen was charged with uttering and forging an Antigua and Barbuda passport application form.
He faces charges along with another Jamaican, Linda Brann.
Investigations revealed that Allen obtained a passport bearing the name of eighteen year old Tyrell Brann.
Tyrell, who is the son of the accused woman, was a prison escapee who was shot and killed in January this year.
Reports are that the woman sold Allen a copy of her dead son's birth certificate in order to obtain an Antiguan and Barbudan passport.
Later information surfaced implicating Opposition Leader Steadroy "Cutie" Benjamin in the scam.
He had reportedly endorsed the passport application and photograph.
Antigua's governing United Progressive Party (UPP) Thursday called on Benjamin to step down as opposition leader in light of the scandal.
UPP Chairman Leon "Chaku" Symister told a press conference that the actions of Benjamin, an attorney, brought the office of the leader of the opposition into disrepute.
He also urged the Chief Passport Officer to discontinue accepting endorsements from Benjamin until the issue is resolved.
Allen was given two concurrent two-year sentences while Brann awaits sentencing.
Both are implicated in a passport fraud.
On July 31, Jamaican Anthony Allen was charged with uttering and forging an Antigua and Barbuda passport application form.
He faces charges along with another Jamaican, Linda Brann.
Investigations revealed that Allen obtained a passport bearing the name of eighteen year old Tyrell Brann.
Tyrell, who is the son of the accused woman, was a prison escapee who was shot and killed in January this year.
Reports are that the woman sold Allen a copy of her dead son's birth certificate in order to obtain an Antiguan and Barbudan passport.
Later information surfaced implicating Opposition Leader Steadroy "Cutie" Benjamin in the scam.
He had reportedly endorsed the passport application and photograph.
Antigua's governing United Progressive Party (UPP) Thursday called on Benjamin to step down as opposition leader in light of the scandal.
UPP Chairman Leon "Chaku" Symister told a press conference that the actions of Benjamin, an attorney, brought the office of the leader of the opposition into disrepute.
He also urged the Chief Passport Officer to discontinue accepting endorsements from Benjamin until the issue is resolved.
Allen was given two concurrent two-year sentences while Brann awaits sentencing.
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